Home Library Translate
A A A
Share »
Follow us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Follow us on LinkedIn
Connect »

Blog: Career Management

Menu

  • This Blog's Home
  • Guest Writer Submissions
  • Policies
  • To Subscribe to a Blog
  • About
  • Feedback

A Performance Review That’s Not a Winner

By Marcia Zidle on January 21, 2011

A not so great performance review doesn’t have to be a career setback.

Recently I coached a talented project manager who had received a not so stellar performance review that could impact her career advancement. Getting negative feedback from your boss is not a joyride. In fact, it can be devastating. I know from experience. So what do you do?

My first reaction was to go home and hide under the bed covers – not a very mature response. But the next day, I let go of my embarrassment and started a list of concrete actions that would lead to performance improvement. I then went to my boss, now feeling more confident, and reviewed my list. We agreed on two performance areas that needed improvement; scheduled training and special assignments to develop specific skills; and finally set a time table to keep me on track.

What did I learn from that experience?

1. Reflect before reacting.
It’s far too easy to be defensive. Let the results sink in before you do anything. Does the feedback ring true? Is there concrete evidence? Does it resonate with things you’ve heard in the past?

2. Decide what to change.
What feedback is most important to you as a leader, manager or professional? What are the two or three things you can start working on immediately to get results? It’s important to show improvement quickly so you won’t get labeled as a poor performer.

3. Get support from others.
Ask your manager, as well as other key people (peers, direct reports, mentors, etc) to give you regular feedback as you make the needed changes. Avoid vague questions like: “How am I doing?” Rather, ask for specific feedback. “How was my presentation on target and off target?”

How did the project manager avoid a career setback?

Well she choose to work on her leadership style. She admitted she was a perfectionist – detailed oriented, focused on facts, and very cautious to take a stand fearing it may be the wrong decision. That led to her projects getting behind schedule. So she decided to improve her delegation, decision making and communication skills. She also kept her manager in the loop and requested regular feedback from him.

Bottom line: Her projects are meeting the milestones set by her boss; she is more self assured and able to let go of responsibility and authority; and she’s back on a career track for advancement.

Readers, how have you turned around a poor performance review?

Do you want to develop Career Smarts?

  • For more resources, see the Library topic Career Management.
  • Start with the  Career Success System.
  • Sign up for Career Power: 101 success tips.
  • Fast track your career. Be part of a Success Team.
  • Need a speaker? Get the Edge Keynotes-webinars-workshops.
  • Find career and leadership boosters in the Smart Moves Blog.
  • Copyright © 2011 Marcia Zidle career and leadership coach.
« Previous Next »

Search Our Site

Meet This Blog’s Host

Marcia Zidle, a certified career strategist and business coach, works with high potential, high impact executives, managers and professionals to advance their careers and grow their leadership capabilities.
[Read more ...]

Recent Blog Posts

  • Watch Out For These Bad Habits: They Can Stop Your Career
  • Getting the Recognition You Deserve
  • Your Career Goals: Are You On Track or Side-Tracked?
  • Communication: Make Small Talk Big Talk
  • New Job and New Boss: Get Off On The Right Foot
  • What Are Your Career Goals For 2013?
  • What’s Important to an Employer?
  • Career Advice For Young Professionals and Leaders
  • The First Six Months On the Job: What You Need to Do!
  • Asking For Help Can Help Your Career

Categories of Posts

  • Basics and Overviews
  • Career Advancement
  • Career Planning
  • Career Resilience
  • Career Transition
  • Change Management
  • General Resources
  • Job Satisfaction
  • Job Search
  • Leading Others
  • Professional Development
  • Success Tips
  • Uncategorized

Related Library Links

  • Changing Your Behavior
  • Personal Development
  • Emotional Intelligence
  • Management Development

Library's Blogs

  • Boards of Directors
  • Building a Business
  • Business Communications
  • Business Ethics, Culture and Performance
  • Business Planning
  • Career Management
  • Coaching and Action Learning
  • Consulting and Organizational Development
  • Crisis Management
  • Customer Service
  • Facilitation
  • Free Management Library Blogs
  • Fundraising for Nonprofits
  • Human Resources
  • Leadership
  • Marketing and Social Media
  • Nonprofit Capacity Building
  • Project Management
  • Quality Management
  • Social Enterprise
  • Spirituality
  • Strategic Planning
  • Supervision
  • Team Building and Performance
  • Training and Development
About Feedback Legal Privacy Policy Contact Us
Free Management Library, © Copyright Authenticity Consulting, LLC ®; All rights reserved.
  • Graphics by Wylde Hare LLC
  • Website maintained by Caitlin Cahill

By continuing to use this site, you agree to our Privacy Policy.X