Harvard Business Review 20-Minute Manager Ultimate Boxed Set (16 Books)

Establishing Next Steps

A performance review discussion is the natural end of an appraisal cycle—and the beginning of a new one. After the meeting is over, hold a separate performance-planning session with your direct report to identify goals and create a development plan for the next year.

Allowing some time between the two meetings will give your employee the opportunity to process the conversation, digest your feedback, and gather information needed to create a meaningful plan for development. A week between the two meetings is ideal, but even a few days is helpful.

Set goals

Meaningful goals will provide motivation and direction and help your employee understand how to invest his time, energy, and resources. Goals define the results an employee ...