Performance Reviews: A Best Practice?

The Topic of the Month for Cathedral’s board services is "Performance Reviews." As criticism of the practice abounds, are we hopelessly behind the times or once again reminding our clients of an important discipline of business that must be done well in order to see success?

Without good internal communication, a company runs in fits and starts and without a steady path toward growth in the marketplace. The performance review is a routine done twice yearly in order to ensure communication among managers and staff for the balance of support and correction each employee. As the reviewer, Simon Constable of the Wall Street Journal states it would be optimal is the performance review coached employees how to succeed.

Constable points out that author Tony Schwartz discusses evidence for the importance of many aspects of daily living that are important for work performance, e.g., diet, exercise, sleep, etc. At the same time, Constable notes that Samuel A. Culbert stresses a liability of the performance review when if is used to the neglect of ongoing managing with feedback to every employee. Perfunctory evaluations cannot substitute for authentic connection with our co-workers in the business.

What has been the most helpful direction ever received by yourself from a performance review? What has been the most surprising feedback at work, positive or negative??

We look forward to hearing your thoughts.