Performance Appraisals & Phrases For Dummies®

Performance Appraisals & Phrases For Dummies®

Released September 2009
Publisher(s): For Dummies
ISBN: 9780470498729

Read it now on the O’Reilly learning platform with a 10-day free trial.

O’Reilly members get unlimited access to books, live events, courses curated by job role, and more from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers.

Start your free trial

Book description

The tools you need to enrich the performance-appraisal experience as you streamline the process

Whether you're a manger looking to implement employee appraisals for the first time, concerned with improving the quality and effectiveness of the appraisal process, or simply trying to save time and mental anguish Performance Appraisals & Phrases For Dummies provides the tools you need to save time and energy while presenting fair and accurate evaluations that foster employee growth.

This convenient, portable package includes a full-length appraisal phrasebook featuring over 3,200 spot-on phrases and plenty of quick-hitting expert tips on making the most out of the process. You'll also receive online access to writable, customizable sample evaluation forms other timesaving resources.

  • Includes more than 3,200 phrases for clear, and helpful evaluations

  • Helps make evaluations faster, more effective, and far less stressful

  • Offers far more advice and coaching than other performance appraisal books

  • Serves as an ideal guide for managers new to the appraisal process

With expert advice from Ken Lloyd, a nationally recognized consultant and author, Performance Appraisals and Phrases For Dummies makes the entire process easier, faster, and more productive for you and your employees.

Table of contents

  1. Copyright
  2. About the Author
  3. Acknowledgments
  4. Publisher's Acknowledgments
  5. Introduction
    1. About This Book
    2. Conventions Used in This Book
    3. What You're Not to Read
    4. Foolish Assumptions
    5. How This Book Is Organized
      1. Part I: When It's Time to Appraise Your Employees
      2. Part II: Working Your Way through the Process
      3. Part III: Phrases and Expressions That Work
      4. Part IV: The Part of Tens
    6. Icons Used in This Book
    7. Where to Go from Here
  6. I. When It's Time to Appraise Your Employees
    1. 1. Building Success with Performance Appraisals
      1. 1.1. Laying the Foundation
        1. 1.1.1. Recognizing the roles of performance appraisal
        2. 1.1.2. Seeking additional sources of feedback
        3. 1.1.3. Strengthening your role
      2. 1.2. Successfully Navigating through the Appraisal Process
        1. 1.2.1. Generating the right mindset and the right plans
        2. 1.2.2. Accumulating and examining performance data
        3. 1.2.3. Preparing evaluations
        4. 1.2.4. Conducting highly effective appraisal sessions
        5. 1.2.5. Avoiding mistakes
        6. 1.2.6. Taking follow-up actions
      3. 1.3. Using Effective Phrases and Expressions
    2. 2. What Performance Appraisals Do for You and Your Team
      1. 2.1. Harnessing the Motivational Power of Appraisals
      2. 2.2. Educating while Evaluating
        1. 2.2.1. Setting expectations
        2. 2.2.2. Building self-awareness
          1. 2.2.2.1. Generating insights for your employees
          2. 2.2.2.2. Generating awareness for yourself
        3. 2.2.3. Increasing your managerial effectiveness
        4. 2.2.4. Transmitting company values
        5. 2.2.5. Understanding and meeting goals
        6. 2.2.6. Defining a career path
        7. 2.2.7. Identifying training needs and evaluating the results
      3. 2.3. Aiding Administration
        1. 2.3.1. Setting the groundwork for promotions
        2. 2.3.2. Setting the groundwork for job transfers
        3. 2.3.3. Establishing meaningful raises
          1. 2.3.3.1. Garnering bravos for the raises you give
          2. 2.3.3.2. Dodging rotten tomatoes after you hand out raises
          3. 2.3.3.3. Putting your employees to sleep with your raises
        4. 2.3.4. Preventing legal problems
    3. 3. The Types of Performance Appraisals
      1. 3.1. Feedback from the Employee: Self-Evaluations
      2. 3.2. Feedback from Others: 360-Degree Feedback
      3. 3.3. Feedback from You
        1. 3.3.1. Writing essays
        2. 3.3.2. Using graphic rating scales
        3. 3.3.3. Choosing checklists
        4. 3.3.4. Forcing the choice
        5. 3.3.5. Ranking employees
          1. 3.3.5.1. Forced distribution
          2. 3.3.5.2. Pairing up
        6. 3.3.6. Finding critical incidents
        7. 3.3.7. Using rating scales tied to behavior
        8. 3.3.8. Managing by objectives
  7. II. Working Your Way through the Process
    1. 4. Getting Started
      1. 4.1. Building Your Evaluation Mindset
        1. 4.1.1. Seeing yourself as a leader
        2. 4.1.2. Setting positive expectations
        3. 4.1.3. Overcoming fear, reluctance, and resistance
          1. 4.1.3.1. Eliminating fear
          2. 4.1.3.2. Eliminating reluctance
          3. 4.1.3.3. Eliminating resistance
        4. 4.1.4. Gaining self-awareness
        5. 4.1.5. Empathizing with your employees
      2. 4.2. Playing the "What If?" Game
      3. 4.3. Planning and Scheduling
    2. 5. Gathering and Analyzing the Data
      1. 5.1. Managing with All Your Senses
      2. 5.2. Focusing On the Entire Year
      3. 5.3. Accessing the Information
        1. 5.3.1. Getting back to basics
          1. 5.3.1.1. Checking out job descriptions
          2. 5.3.1.2. Reviewing last year's appraisal
          3. 5.3.1.3. Revisiting the objectives
        2. 5.3.2. Reviewing your notes
        3. 5.3.3. Reviewing the files
          1. 5.3.3.1. Considering complaints
          2. 5.3.3.2. Considering compliments
          3. 5.3.3.3. Reviewing reprimands
          4. 5.3.3.4. Homing in on honors and awards
          5. 5.3.3.5. Mulling over milestones
        4. 5.3.4. Reviewing the evaluations
          1. 5.3.4.1. Evaluating self-evaluations
          2. 5.3.4.2. Evaluating 360-degree feedback
      4. 5.4. Completing the Evaluation Form
        1. 5.4.1. Selecting a rating
        2. 5.4.2. Describing strengths and weaknesses
          1. 5.4.2.1. Strengths
          2. 5.4.2.2. Weaknesses
      5. 5.5. Determining an Overall Rating
    3. 6. Running a Productive Appraisal Session
      1. 6.1. Setting the Stage for the Appraisal
        1. 6.1.1. Identifying your objectives
        2. 6.1.2. Setting an agenda
        3. 6.1.3. Scripting your delicate comments
        4. 6.1.4. Bringing the data
        5. 6.1.5. Setting positive expectations
      2. 6.2. Handling the Logistics
        1. 6.2.1. Scheduling the time
          1. 6.2.1.1. Clearing the deck
          2. 6.2.1.2. Blocking extra time
        2. 6.2.2. Recognizing the role of reminders
        3. 6.2.3. Giving out the appraisals
          1. 6.2.3.1. When the session starts
          2. 6.2.3.2. When the session ends
          3. 6.2.3.3. Before the session
        4. 6.2.4. Selecting the right venue
        5. 6.2.5. Keeping it private
          1. 6.2.5.1. During the session
          2. 6.2.5.2. After the session
      3. 6.3. Holding the Meeting
        1. 6.3.1. Opening the discussion
        2. 6.3.2. Leading the discussion
        3. 6.3.3. Providing negative feedback
        4. 6.3.4. Eliminating interruptions
          1. 6.3.4.1. Advising the team
          2. 6.3.4.2. Taking no phone calls
          3. 6.3.4.3. Avoiding your computer
        5. 6.3.5. Actively listening
        6. 6.3.6. Wrapping up the discussion
    4. 7. Avoiding the Most Common Mistakes
      1. 7.1. Managing Your Misperceptions
        1. 7.1.1. Calibrating recent events
        2. 7.1.2. Overpowering bias and stereotypes
          1. 7.1.2.1. Beating bias
          2. 7.1.2.2. Stopping the stereotypes
        3. 7.1.3. Rethinking "just like me"
        4. 7.1.4. Recognizing the halo effect
        5. 7.1.5. Dismissing the horns effect
        6. 7.1.6. Getting beyond first impressions
        7. 7.1.7. Countering the contrasts
        8. 7.1.8. Minding your emotions
        9. 7.1.9. Veering from the center
        10. 7.1.10. Avoiding the skews
          1. 7.1.10.1. Going positively skewed
          2. 7.1.10.2. Going negatively skewed
      2. 7.2. Doing Away with Discussion Stoppers
        1. 7.2.1. Labeling
        2. 7.2.2. Mentioning other employees
        3. 7.2.3. Getting defensive
        4. 7.2.4. Arguing
      3. 7.3. Creating Problems rather than Solutions
        1. 7.3.1. Bargaining
        2. 7.3.2. Talking too much
        3. 7.3.3. Postponing the sessions
      4. 7.4. Surprising Your Employees
    5. 8. Following Up
      1. 8.1. Setting Goals
        1. 8.1.1. Looking forward instead of backward
        2. 8.1.2. Opting for goals over dreams
        3. 8.1.3. Motivating your employees to meet their goals
        4. 8.1.4. Challenging your employees enough but not too much
          1. 8.1.4.1. Extremely challenging goals
          2. 8.1.4.2. Extremely easy goals
          3. 8.1.4.3. Challenging goals
      2. 8.2. Looking at the Types of Goals
        1. 8.2.1. Performance goals
        2. 8.2.2. Developmental goals
          1. 8.2.2.1. Identifying each employee's needs
          2. 8.2.2.2. Building your employees' motivation to learn
          3. 8.2.2.3. Establishing developmental goals
          4. 8.2.2.4. Setting the developmental plan
          5. 8.2.2.5. Setting up a developmental training program
      3. 8.3. Managing after the Evaluation
        1. 8.3.1. Wandering around
        2. 8.3.2. Coaching your employees toward their goals
  8. III. Phrases and Expressions That Work
    1. 9. The Best Phrases for Quality and Quantity of Work
      1. 9.1. Accuracy
      2. 9.2. Detail-Mindedness
      3. 9.3. Meeting Goals
      4. 9.4. Multi-Tasking
      5. 9.5. Performance Levels
      6. 9.6. Productivity
      7. 9.7. Setting Priorities
      8. 9.8. Timeliness
    2. 10. The Best Phrases for Communication and Interpersonal Skills
      1. 10.1. Cooperation
      2. 10.2. Customer Service
      3. 10.3. Listening
      4. 10.4. Meetings
      5. 10.5. Negotiating
      6. 10.6. Persuasiveness
      7. 10.7. Sales Skills
      8. 10.8. Teamwork
      9. 10.9. Telephone Skills
      10. 10.10. Written and Verbal Communication
    3. 11. The Best Phrases for Planning, Administration, and Organization
      1. 11.1. Adjusting to Change
      2. 11.2. Bottom-Line Orientation
      3. 11.3. Controlling Costs
      4. 11.4. Establishing Goals
      5. 11.5. Management Skills
      6. 11.6. Meeting Deadlines
      7. 11.7. Organizing
      8. 11.8. Planning
      9. 11.9. Setting and Adhering to Schedules
    4. 12. The Best Phrases for Leadership
      1. 12.1. Building a Team
      2. 12.2. Coaching
      3. 12.3. Delegating
      4. 12.4. Inspiring Enthusiasm and Commitment
      5. 12.5. Making Decisions
      6. 12.6. Managing Conflict
      7. 12.7. Motivating Employees
      8. 12.8. Proactive Behaviors
      9. 12.9. Providing Feedback
      10. 12.10. Screening and Hiring
    5. 13. The Best Phrases for Job Knowledge and Expertise
      1. 13.1. Ability to Apply Expertise to the Job
      2. 13.2. Acting as a Mentor
      3. 13.3. Acting as a Positive Role Model
      4. 13.4. Applying Analytical Skills
      5. 13.5. Building Employees' Skills
      6. 13.6. Computer Skills
      7. 13.7. Researching Skills
      8. 13.8. Sharing Knowledge
      9. 13.9. Technical Knowledge
    6. 14. The Best Phrases for Attitude
      1. 14.1. Accepting Assignments
      2. 14.2. Attendance
      3. 14.3. Can-Do Attitude
      4. 14.4. Dedication and Commitment
      5. 14.5. Emphasizing Safety
      6. 14.6. Energy
      7. 14.7. Flexibility
      8. 14.8. Focus
      9. 14.9. Following Company Policies and Procedures
      10. 14.10. Going the Extra Mile
      11. 14.11. Handling Pressure and Stress
      12. 14.12. Initiative
      13. 14.13. Level of Supervision Required
      14. 14.14. Reliability and Dependability
      15. 14.15. Understanding and Supporting Company Values and Mission
      16. 14.16. Volunteering
    7. 15. The Best Phrases for Ethics
      1. 15.1. Diversity
      2. 15.2. Equal Employment Opportunity
      3. 15.3. Fairness
      4. 15.4. Giving Back to the Community
      5. 15.5. Honesty
      6. 15.6. Integrity
      7. 15.7. Judgment
      8. 15.8. Maintaining Professionalism
      9. 15.9. Sustainability
    8. 16. The Best Phrases for Creative Thinking
      1. 16.1. Brainstorming
      2. 16.2. Embracing Change
      3. 16.3. Encouraging and Supporting Innovation from Others
      4. 16.4. Generating New Ideas
      5. 16.5. Presenting New Ideas for Company Policies and Procedures
      6. 16.6. Problem Solving
      7. 16.7. Receptiveness to New Ideas
      8. 16.8. Seeking Improvements
      9. 16.9. Thinking outside the Box
    9. 17. The Best Phrases for Self-Development and Growth
      1. 17.1. Becoming a Value-Added Employee
      2. 17.2. Building Problem-Solving Skills
      3. 17.3. Career Planning
      4. 17.4. Personal Goals
      5. 17.5. Responding to Performance Appraisals and Coaching
      6. 17.6. Seeking Learning Opportunities
      7. 17.7. Training
      8. 17.8. Widening One's Knowledge Base
  9. IV. The Part of Tens
    1. 18. The Top Ten Words to Include in a Performance Appraisal
      1. 18.1. The Employee's Name
      2. 18.2. Achievement
      3. 18.3. Build
      4. 18.4. Can
      5. 18.5. Growth
      6. 18.6. Profit
      7. 18.7. Promotion
      8. 18.8. Success
      9. 18.9. Thanks
      10. 18.10. Yes
    2. 19. The Top Ten Behaviors Meriting Special Recognition
      1. 19.1. Exceeding Expectations
      2. 19.2. Mentoring Co-Workers
      3. 19.3. Taking Classes
      4. 19.4. Coming Up with a Great New Idea
      5. 19.5. Taking Self-sacrificing Actions
      6. 19.6. Solving a Long-term Problem
      7. 19.7. Volunteering
      8. 19.8. Building Goodwill
      9. 19.9. Surpassing Goals
      10. 19.10. Going the Extra Mile

Product information

  • Title: Performance Appraisals & Phrases For Dummies®
  • Author(s):
  • Release date: September 2009
  • Publisher(s): For Dummies
  • ISBN: 9780470498729