It’s all about preparation: year-end assessment conversations

Preparation is key to any good annual performance review discussion whether the discussion is being held virtually or in person.  
 
Here is a simple agenda that you can share in advance so that both you and your team member can be prepared for a rich conversation:

1. Check-in: How have things have been going since March?
2. Walk through self-assessment and ask:
   —Looking at the first nine months of the year, what are you most proud of? What skills and abilities did you employ?
   —What, if any, obstacles or challenges did you encounter? How did you address these? In hindsight, what would you do differently? What could I have done to support you?
   —How can we more effectively leverage your strengths?
3. Review manager’s summary:
   —Celebrate the team member’s achievements, their strengths, and partnerships
   —What professional development opportunities will help build your strengths to achieve future goals? What new skills do you need to develop to enhance your performance?
   —Explore areas for growth, and brainstorm opportunities to develop.
   —Finally, given the things discussed, what are one or two preliminary things to focus on when we meet again to set goals?