Your manager is not the only one responsible for your appraisal. An appraisal is a two-way street. A good appraisal is the result of a partnership between you and your manager. It is a chance to make sure that you are aligned on your goals, job expectations and performance standards.
Example: How to receive feedback.
Janet: Sue, I overheard you yesterday talking to one of your internal customers and that attitude has got to stop.
Sue: Janet, I don’t know what you are talking about.
Janet: You were talking to Mary in credit and you really talked down to her.
Sue: Well, she is stupid.
STOP! How might Sue have responded?
Sue: Janet, help me understand. What did I say that was a problem?
Janet: I believe you told someone that you didn’t have time for them.
Sue: So, you felt that I didn’t treat her with respect?
Janet: Exactly. We just can’t treat our internal customers that way. Respect is one of our corporate values.
Sue: Janet, you know I guess you are right. I was just so frustrated with her for losing one of our checks. I will call and apologize and really try to watch how I talk to people. I didn’t mean to be rude.
So you've already been through this.... I didn't get the whole deal. Maybe once I sit through the session, I'll understand.
Sounds painful.
And let's face it, Mary in credit is stupid.
Joshua Benton is the director of the Nieman Journalism Lab at Harvard University, among other things. Before that, he was a staff writer and columnist for The Dallas Morning News. (More.)
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Any opinions expressed here are solely mine, and not those of my employer. In many cases, they may not even be mine.
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