HBR Guide to Performance Management (HBR Guide Series)

CHAPTER 13

Assess Performance, but Rethink Ratings

There is no one right way to conduct a performance appraisal, but you and your direct report will both benefit from your preparation. You must evaluate your direct report’s performance in relation to the goals you defined together. You can use the same methods described in section 2 to identify gaps between goals and performance.

You’ll also want to assess behaviors that may not be explicitly linked to any specific goal. Teamwork, communication skills, leadership, initiative, focus, productivity, and reliability are all competencies that affect how an employee gets work done. You may also want to consider whether or not someone has demonstrated citizenship behaviors, like helping their colleagues ...