Success at work is largely driven by Performance Appraisal and Goal Accomplishment. 70% of our life revolves around our work goals and how we navigate the success of the same, yet sometimes in spite of all the focus and hard work, things don’t work.
Organizations have various tools to evaluate the performance of a leader like self-appraisal, team feedback, skip meetings, 360 degrees, etc. Studies show a strong correlation between performance management -productivity and organizational success. Performance management can be a brilliant way to inspire -motivate and coach an employee towards the best practices and also give their best to their job role. However often this path creates ambiguity and stress. While organizations continue to explore ways to make this an effective tool, employees can master this tool to gain pace in their careers.
6 Ways to enhance performance and manage appraisals proactively:
- Clarity of Expectations – Performance as leaders or even as subject matter experts starts with clarity of goals. We all want to be winners yet the GPS to the destination is not clear to us. Working with the organization and the supervisor to get clarity while creating this GPS is essential even before one starts the journey towards the goals. What would successful performance look like, is a vision that one needs to design for one’s hours of toil to be worthy? This also helps in building a conducive supervisor-subordinate relationship. The best way to work with the dynamics of team -leadership is to create clarity for self and others, and also empathize with people -situations to build the best outcomes rather than expect others to create it.
- Managing Priorities & Speed -To improve performance at work you must have the ability to set priorities and to separate the relevant from the irrelevant when facing the many tasks of the day. Every leader values a person who can set priorities and move quickly to get the job done. Speed and dependability in job completion is one of the most valued traits in the workforce. When your employer can hand you a job and then walk away and not worry about it again, you will have moved onto the fast track. Your subsequent promotion and increased pay are virtually guaranteed.
- Positive Mental Attitude -With everyday stresses, escalations and challenges…often skepticism creeps in, amidst all this it’s imperative for a professional to be in a positive mind state while taking decisions and interacting with clients or teams. A captain of the ship always needs to bounce back from any exigency that he might have faced, else he might lose opportunities when the weather is conducive for his progress. People like to be around and to promote employees they like. Everybody quickly notices a consistent, persistent attitude of cheerfulness and optimism. When you make an effort to cultivate an attitude of friendliness toward people, they will make extraordinary efforts to open doors for you.
- Improve Your Skills, Seek Knowledge -Improve performance at work by continually upgrading your work-related skills and making sure that your superiors know about it. Today the best courses are available online, that can be leveraged for best outcomes in your job success. Sometimes the organizations pay for the courses you take so seek support where they can sponsor. Make optimal use of your mentors -coaches -supervisors and peers to unveil the best learnings and knowledge that can augment your performance. Efforts of learning and networking create an aura of leadership growth in your career. Bosses are very impressed with people who are constantly striving to learn more in order to increase their value to their companies. Upgrading your knowledge and skills as a part of your life can really accelerate your career.
- Personality At Work -Probably 85 percent of your success in the world of work will come from your personality and your ability to communicate effectively with others. It will be determined by how much people like you and respect you. You can greatly improve how other people perceive you by continually looking for ways to boost their self-esteem throughout the workday. A little genuine praise and appreciation, on a regular basis, will cause people to like you and want to help you. A likeable person is often perceived as being better at what they do than a person with a negative personality. When you are with your superiors, make it a practice to listen with respect, attentiveness, and interest. All leaders are excellent listeners. It is a key method of influence. If you want to get people on your side, practice asking interesting questions and then listening intently to the answers.
- Keep Network Fuelled & Take Action -Your net worth can be built on the edifice of your fuelled network -a function of your skills – foresight. While you build your network you also need to take action in supporting them and being there for them, rather than keep things dormant. Every person has knowledge -skill, and ideas that could be a part of your repertoire if you can leverage the same. Thus taking action on staying in touch with your inner and outer circle, imbibing best skills, being futuristic, and creating an opportunity rather than waiting for it.
Performance motivation can create more fulfilment and satisfaction in life. Thus designing a path for performance success can help you experience the best that life has to offer. Today successful organizations need an intrapreneur, rather than just a follower to execute orders, to stay ahead of competition and also be an industry leader.
Are you happy with your Performance? What steps can you take to create your growth? Are you building the skills for the right GPS? Do you have clarity on what Best Performance is in your role? Is your chemistry with your supervisor or client stopping you from giving your best? Do share with us your success factors to performance mastery.
drsonaliduttabaanerjee 
Yet another masterpiece blog from Sonali.
I reckon PERFORMANCE as the key factor in the life of an Individual and an Organization, besides CONDUCT.
Performance determines productivity, and profitability in success, and when it is at its ebb it spells failure and loss. Good Performance, as long as it is sustained, impacts the perpetuity of business.
I must hasten to admit I have little to add to what Sonali has expounded.
Yet, yes, :: Any Appraisal should take place as frequently as it is required, in order to keep up the morale of the performer and to extend guidance by way of a feedback in order a feed-forward occurs. . Many Organizations, I have no hesitation to say, commit a virtual crime by appraising an Employee only at the end-of-the-year…it looks like a post-mortem deliberately being carried-out on a living entity, instead of having treated or cured the poor-performance of an Employee whenever an instance to this effect came to light.
Apprising an Employee periodically about his/her performance is vital. Setting achievable objectives which maybe challenging, and articulating the same with clarity with the Appraisee and securing his/her acceptance at the outset are very important.
Recognition and Rewards, not only or solely in cash or kind, but, also, by providing opportunities for a performer to learn more and to strengthen an Employee will augur well for both the Organization and the Employee, in-as-much-as in ensuring creating opportunities for an under-performer to improve upon his/her lack-luster performance.
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