Professional performance appraisals are key to providing useful feedback to a manager or employee. But not knowing what to say or write can make the process downright painful, especially on deadlines. When feedback is key to improving employee engagement, it's critical to get the feedback system right.
Unfortunately, many of today's performance reviews aren't as effective as they could be. In fact, according to Fast Company, 74% of young workers leave feedback unsure of what their supervisors really think of their work.
Why? Because these reviews lack good performance appraisal comments. This reflects the fact that, according to our 2017 Employee Engagement Report, 79% of employees don't consider their organization's performance review process to be that successful. ;
No matter how good your performance appraisal is, you can almost certainly do better. Here's a helpful list of 100 performance appraisal examples, based on the book Effective Phrases for Performance Appraisals - comments you should start including in your performance appraisals to give your employees (or managers) the helpful feedback they're looking for.
Keep in mind that these are starter phrases, and you should be specific when you write feedback for performance reviews.
Accomplishments
01. Achieves optimum levels of performance and fulfillment with / for ...
02. Presents compelling evidence of [specific achievement].
03. Excels in developing programs/strategies that have produced X results.
04. Increased productivity by X% through [specific task].
05. Exceeded original goal of X by X% through [specific task].
Administration
06. Continually examines administrative efficiency and seeks to improve procedures such as [task].
07. Develops successful administrative strategies such as [task] that have resulted in [results].
08. Establishes effective information retrieval systems through [task].
09. Improves administrative support systems with [task].
10. Keeps documents organized through [task] to avoid duplication of information.
Coaching
11. Shows genuine interest in employees and ways to solve their problems.
12. Provides support and counseling to [assignment] employees.
13. Utilizes sound coaching techniques to resolve disciplinary problems
14. Provides ongoing coaching
15. Is highly valued by employees for sharing their concerns, problems and opportunities.
Communication Skills
16. Communicates expectations effectively
17. Does an excellent job of organizing group discussions
18. Keeps meetings action-oriented on tasks
19. communicates effectively up, down and sideways
20. Ensures compliance with company policies and values without creating negative reactions
Collaboration
21. Encourages collaboration with the team
22. shares ideas and technology
23. Builds strong relationships with others through [task].
24. Demonstrates a harmonious spirit of cooperation with [task].
25. Shares experiences with joy
Creativity
26. Seeks creative alternatives such as [examples] that led to [results].
27. Is clever and resourceful when faced with obstacles.
28. constantly experiments to drive [results].
29. Initiates and implements creative ideas such as [example].
30. Seeks new ideas and approaches delegating
31. Empowers and resources employees to achieve X results.
32. Helps employees gain visibility through [task].
33. Encourages employees to solve their own problems
34. Delegates to match personal strengths
35. Delegates with clearly defined responsibilities and authority
Improvement
36. Develops methods for continuous improvement
37. Anticipates completely new strategies
38. Continues to grow and improve
39. Improved means of achieving results
40. Plans for continuous improvement.
Innovation
41. Develops innovation strategies such as [example] ....
42. Is very innovative in unfavorable environments.
43. Seeks innovative solutions
44. Encourages curiosity about innovative possibilities
45. Encourages innovation [example].
Interpersonal skills
Recognizes the needs of others and reaches out to help 46.
47. Establishes effective working relationships
48. Generates synergy
49. Builds on mutual dependence and understanding
50. Promoting corporate culture among business colleagues Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)
Learning Abilities
51. Displays the ability to learn quickly and adapt quickly to changing situations.
52. Sharing learning experiences with peers
53. Promotes a culture of learning
54. Commitment to continuous learning through [example].
55. Responds quickly to new instructions, situations, methods and procedures.
Ability to manage
56. Provides support to the team through [example].
57. Collaborates with individual team members to determine a path forward
58. Holds employees accountable for their performance
59. Provides the team with the resources necessary to achieve results
60. Provides support during periods of organizational change
Planning
61. Develops action plans that are achievable
62. Creates flexible plans to meet changing opportunities
63. Effectively puts plans into action
64. Excels at developing strategic alternatives
65. Effectively formulates strategies, tactics, and action plans to achieve X results.
Potential
66. Capable of outstanding performance at a higher level.
67. Has reached the level required for promotion.
68. Can handle larger projects and assignments
69. Is making active efforts to gain more experience and skills to increase potential for promotion.
70. Increased potential for growth through additional education and training
Problem solving
71. Displays a practical approach to problem solving
72. Develops creative solutions
73. Turns problems into opportunities
74. Effectively solves problems, not symptoms.
75. Is able to offer optional solutions.
Productivity
76. Exceeds normal productivity norms
77. Consistently produces more than expected.
78. Is an important factor contributing to the success of the department.
79. Contributes significantly to the continued operation and development of the organization.
80. Consistently exceeds performance targets
Project Management
81. Completed X project with X deliverables
82. Sets realistic schedules to keep projects on target.
83. Is transparent during project implementation.
84. Effectively utilizes all available resources in project implementation
85. Clearly defines the goals and objectives of the project Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)
Leadership skills
86. consistently recognizes the merits of employees
87. Maintains a work situation that encourages individual employee growth.
88. Ensures that employees clearly understand their responsibilities
89. Is readily available to support employees
90. Recognizes and addresses signs of employee burnout.
Time Management
91. Consistently meets all deadlines
92. Creates concise and time-saving meeting agendas.
93. Adheres to meeting schedules
94. Respects the time of others.
95. Utilizes discretionary time effectively
Vision
96. Distinguishes himself/herself by living the values of the organization
97. Promotes active support of the company's mission and vision.
98. Is able to turn visions into tangible action plans.
99. Demonstrates the ability to transfer vision into execution
100. Exceptionally contributes to the achievement of the company's goals
By Sabrina Sun
Learn more about performance management in the course:
Unfortunately, many of today's performance reviews aren't as effective as they could be. In fact, according to Fast Company, 74% of young workers leave feedback unsure of what their supervisors really think of their work.
Why? Because these reviews lack good performance appraisal comments. This reflects the fact that, according to our 2017 Employee Engagement Report, 79% of employees don't consider their organization's performance review process to be that successful. ;
No matter how good your performance appraisal is, you can almost certainly do better. Here's a helpful list of 100 performance appraisal examples, based on the book Effective Phrases for Performance Appraisals - comments you should start including in your performance appraisals to give your employees (or managers) the helpful feedback they're looking for.
Keep in mind that these are starter phrases, and you should be specific when you write feedback for performance reviews.
Accomplishments
01. Achieves optimum levels of performance and fulfillment with / for ...
02. Presents compelling evidence of [specific achievement].
03. Excels in developing programs/strategies that have produced X results.
04. Increased productivity by X% through [specific task].
05. Exceeded original goal of X by X% through [specific task].
Administration
06. Continually examines administrative efficiency and seeks to improve procedures such as [task].
07. Develops successful administrative strategies such as [task] that have resulted in [results].
08. Establishes effective information retrieval systems through [task].
09. Improves administrative support systems with [task].
10. Keeps documents organized through [task] to avoid duplication of information.
Coaching
11. Shows genuine interest in employees and ways to solve their problems.
12. Provides support and counseling to [assignment] employees.
13. Utilizes sound coaching techniques to resolve disciplinary problems
14. Provides ongoing coaching
15. Is highly valued by employees for sharing their concerns, problems and opportunities.
Communication Skills
16. Communicates expectations effectively
17. Does an excellent job of organizing group discussions
18. Keeps meetings action-oriented on tasks
19. communicates effectively up, down and sideways
20. Ensures compliance with company policies and values without creating negative reactions
Collaboration
21. Encourages collaboration with the team
22. shares ideas and technology
23. Builds strong relationships with others through [task].
24. Demonstrates a harmonious spirit of cooperation with [task].
25. Shares experiences with joy
Creativity
26. Seeks creative alternatives such as [examples] that led to [results].
27. Is clever and resourceful when faced with obstacles.
28. constantly experiments to drive [results].
29. Initiates and implements creative ideas such as [example].
30. Seeks new ideas and approaches delegating
31. Empowers and resources employees to achieve X results.
32. Helps employees gain visibility through [task].
33. Encourages employees to solve their own problems
34. Delegates to match personal strengths
35. Delegates with clearly defined responsibilities and authority
Improvement
36. Develops methods for continuous improvement
37. Anticipates completely new strategies
38. Continues to grow and improve
39. Improved means of achieving results
40. Plans for continuous improvement.
Innovation
41. Develops innovation strategies such as [example] ....
42. Is very innovative in unfavorable environments.
43. Seeks innovative solutions
44. Encourages curiosity about innovative possibilities
45. Encourages innovation [example].
Interpersonal skills
Recognizes the needs of others and reaches out to help 46.
47. Establishes effective working relationships
48. Generates synergy
49. Builds on mutual dependence and understanding
50. Promoting corporate culture among business colleagues Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)
Learning Abilities
51. Displays the ability to learn quickly and adapt quickly to changing situations.
52. Sharing learning experiences with peers
53. Promotes a culture of learning
54. Commitment to continuous learning through [example].
55. Responds quickly to new instructions, situations, methods and procedures.
Ability to manage
56. Provides support to the team through [example].
57. Collaborates with individual team members to determine a path forward
58. Holds employees accountable for their performance
59. Provides the team with the resources necessary to achieve results
60. Provides support during periods of organizational change
Planning
61. Develops action plans that are achievable
62. Creates flexible plans to meet changing opportunities
63. Effectively puts plans into action
64. Excels at developing strategic alternatives
65. Effectively formulates strategies, tactics, and action plans to achieve X results.
Potential
66. Capable of outstanding performance at a higher level.
67. Has reached the level required for promotion.
68. Can handle larger projects and assignments
69. Is making active efforts to gain more experience and skills to increase potential for promotion.
70. Increased potential for growth through additional education and training
Problem solving
71. Displays a practical approach to problem solving
72. Develops creative solutions
73. Turns problems into opportunities
74. Effectively solves problems, not symptoms.
75. Is able to offer optional solutions.
Productivity
76. Exceeds normal productivity norms
77. Consistently produces more than expected.
78. Is an important factor contributing to the success of the department.
79. Contributes significantly to the continued operation and development of the organization.
80. Consistently exceeds performance targets
Project Management
81. Completed X project with X deliverables
82. Sets realistic schedules to keep projects on target.
83. Is transparent during project implementation.
84. Effectively utilizes all available resources in project implementation
85. Clearly defines the goals and objectives of the project Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)
Leadership skills
86. consistently recognizes the merits of employees
87. Maintains a work situation that encourages individual employee growth.
88. Ensures that employees clearly understand their responsibilities
89. Is readily available to support employees
90. Recognizes and addresses signs of employee burnout.
Time Management
91. Consistently meets all deadlines
92. Creates concise and time-saving meeting agendas.
93. Adheres to meeting schedules
94. Respects the time of others.
95. Utilizes discretionary time effectively
Vision
96. Distinguishes himself/herself by living the values of the organization
97. Promotes active support of the company's mission and vision.
98. Is able to turn visions into tangible action plans.
99. Demonstrates the ability to transfer vision into execution
100. Exceptionally contributes to the achievement of the company's goals
By Sabrina Sun
Learn more about performance management in the course: