The_Essential_Manager_s_Handbook

APPRAISING PERFORMANCE / 55

ASK YOURSELF...

Am I prepared for the appraisal? YES NO

1 Have I carefully considered the employee’s strengths

as well as their weaknesses? ..........................................................

2 Can I substantiate, with specific examples, all points

of praise and criticism? ....................................................................

3 Have I thought about any problems that may occur

in the appraisal interview? ..............................................................

4 Have I considered how I will react to these problems? .................

appraisal process. Appraisal should be

a continuous process, starting with the

establishment and communication of

performance standards. Assess how

each individual is performing relative

to these standards, and use this

information to discuss a person’s

performance in the appraisal interview.

The appraisal interview

Start with the aim of putting the person

at ease. Most people don’t like to hear

their work criticized, so be supportive

and understanding and create a helpful

and constructive climate. Begin by

explaining what will transpire during the

appraisal and why. Keep your appraisal

goal-oriented, and make sure that your

feedback is specific. Where you can,

get the person’s own perceptions of

the problems being addressed—there

may be contributing factors that you are

unaware of. Encourage self-evaluation;

the person may acknowledge

performance problems independently,

thus eliminating your need to raise them.

They may also offer viable solutions.

Setting action points

At the end of the interview, ask the

recipient to rephrase the content of your

appraisal. This will indicate whether or

not you have succeeded in communicating

your evaluation clearly. Finish by drawing

up a plan of action. Draft a step-by-step

plan for improvement. Include in the plan

what needs to be done, by when, and how

you will monitor the person’s activities.

US_054-055_Appraising_Performance.indd 55 30/05/16 3:01 pm