How to Approach an Appraisal

There are 6 main steps to approaching an appraisal situation, these are outlined below in bold, the extra text are some notes to help understand what to do and what not to do.

1. Starting the Appraisal
2. Good News First Vs. Bad News First
3. Handling the Bad News – Criticising
   1. Make sure to note what they did well, adding confidence, but including the criticism
   2. Set objectives and ways the person can improve, so that they have something good to take from it
   3. Make the person think about themselves and work out the problem. If they understand what is wrong with themselves, they will be able to change it easier.
4. Getting Information – Asking the Right Questions
   1. Don’t go back over points, as the employee will think the review is going in circles. Ask questions until the correct answer is given.
   2. Don’t use questions that lead to an answer
   3. Ask open questions
   4. Don’t show emotions
   5. Probe and check the employee to make sure the correct information is being given
5. Listening to the Answer
6. Summarising
   1. Let the employee do the summary, to make sure that they have taken in the review and they feel OK with what has been said.