Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
Conducting performance appraisals can be a daunting prospect, especially for new managers. Packed with sage advice and useful information, this helpful guide will enable anyone to take on this task with confidence and skill.
Synopsis
Conducting performance appraisals can be a daunting prospect, especially for new managers. With the same brand of accessible and sage advice readers have come to rely on from The First-Time Manager, this helpful guide provides straightforward, useful information that will enable anyone to take on this important task with confidence and skill. Filled with ready-to-use tools including sample dialogues, phrases, and documents, as well as plenty of useful tips, The First-Time Manager’s Guide to Performance Appraisals shows readers how to:
review an employee’s past performance • prepare for the face-to-face meeting • assess how successful the employee has been at meeting goals • set new objectives • help develop career plans • evaluate performers at every level • understand the importance of coaching and counseling throughout the year • write up the appraisal and use ratings • follow up effectively
This book is an essential resource for managers who want to get the most from the performance appraisal process . . . and from their people.
About the Author
Diane Arthur (Northport, NY) is President of Arthur Associates Management Consultants, Ltd., a human resources development firm. She has more than 30 years of experience as a consultant, workshop leader, and lecturer. She is the author of numerous books, including Recruiting, Interviewing, Selecting & Orienting New Employees (978-0-8144-0861-2).
Table of Contents
Contents
Preface ix
PART I: PERFORMANCE APPRAISAL: WHAT IT’S ALL ABOUT
Chapter 1: Performance Appraisals: An Overview 1
Objectives • Benefits and uses • Responsibilities • Criteria • Suggestions for improved performance
Chapter 2: Managers as Coaches 11
Coaching characteristics • Spontaneous coaching • Planned coaching
Chapter 3: Managers as Counselors 19
Counseling characteristics • Directive counseling • Nondirective counseling
PART II: GETTING READY
Chapter 4: The Golden Rules of Performance Appraisals 29
This should come as no surprise . . . • Praise and criticism • Documentation
Chapter 5: Gathering Information 39
Job descriptions • 360-degree evaluation • Self-appraisals
Chapter 6: Preparing to Conduct Appraisals on Former Coworkers 48
Clarify respective roles • Establish expectations • Guidelines for conducting appraisals on former coworkers
PART III: THE POWER OF THE PEN
Chapter 7: Forms and Ratings 57
How forms are used and misused • Rating terminology • Factors to be evaluated
Chapter 8: Writing Guidelines 66
Selecting objective language • Writing dos and don’ts • A seven-step writing format
PART IV: THE FACE-TO-FACE MEETING
Chapter 9: How to Begin 75
Questions to ask yourself • Create a suitable environment • Put employees at ease
Chapter 10: What to Discuss 84
Past performance • Goals • Career development
Chapter 11: How to Listen Actively 93
Active listening guidelines • Talking and active listening • Thought speed • The power of silence
Chapter 12: How to Act: The Importance of Body Language 101
Effective nonverbal messages • Accurately interpreting body language
• Consistency between nonverbal and verbal messages
PART V: WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR
Chapter 13: How to Handle Challenging Performance-Appraisal Situations 110
Possible employee reactions to performance reviews • Recommended approaches
• Potential outcomes • Disciplinary action
Chapter 14: How to Avoid Typical Performance-Appraisal Pitfalls 122
Legal pitfalls • The top-ten performance-appraisal pitfalls • Performance-appraisal syndromes
• Trying to remember what to cover
PART VI: EVALUATING VARIOUS TYPES OF
EMPLOYEES
Chapter 15: How to Conduct Appraisals on Different-Performance-Level Employees 133
Average performers • Top performers • Marginal performers
Chapter 16: Performance Appraisals for Employees Who Telecommute 142
Performance monitoring • Communication • Performance measurement
Appendix A: List of Performance-Appraisal Tips 151
Appendix B: Key Federal Legislation 159
Index 161