I’ve just been asked to write a draft of my performance review, to which my boss will add her thoughts. I’m having trouble because I don’t want to brag, but I don’t want to sell myself short either. – Not a Bragger
I have addressed this issue before- I recommend tracking of all your major projects and past reviews, as well as keeping a copy of your company metrics to refer to. What I have learned is at the end of the day no one will go to bat for you harder than you will. I also believe that when you quantify your accomplishments you are reminding your boss exactly why she was smart enough to hire you. Did you cut costs, meet a big goal, train a staff person? Flip through your calendar and you’ll probably be surprised by all you’ve achieved.
What counts in a performance review is identifying the top three goals your boss has for you- and showing how you’ve made progress. Do that and you’re golden. If you aren’t sure what those priorities are, schedule a pre-review chat with your boss. That way, you can customize your review- and address any surprising revelations. Going forward, make sure you get feedback regularly. Email your boss every few months to confirm that the top items on your to-do list match hers. As a rule, 80 percent of a performance review should focus on accomplishments and 20 percent on areas needing improvement. If you’re highly creative but disorganized, for example, deal with the issue head-on. Use take-charge language to explain that you’re continuing to improve your time-management skills and then list two or three ways you’re doing it. Get a second opinion. Ask a trusted colleague to help you spot forgotten successes and differentiate worries from weaknesses. Think big picture. Make sure your goals for the coming year include a career stepping-stone, such as managing a project instead of doing it all yourself.
As a manager I always felt having the subject write the first draft was a cop out. The workers really needed to know what I thought and shouldn’t need me to do their work for them.
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That made you a great manager, writing the first draft can empower employees to reach new heights, identify growth opportunities and potential areas of improvement without damaging employee-manager relations, but writing a strong review isn’t easy, so a employee should always provide a prospective of the work they are doing.
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Thank you very much, msw
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Sorry – I meant didn’t need them to do my work for me 🙂
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Evaluation is a key part of any process. Not just at the end but all the way through. Not just on our own either. There is much we have to learn from others, and much that we can teach too. 😁
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I could not have summed it up any better. Thank you for reading. 🙂
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