1. soft skills training Discussing Performance

2. soft skills training This Training Will Help You Understand the value of focusing on outcomes Tackle contentious issues Formalize forward planning Avoid common pitfalls Give positive feedback Encourage self appraisal Work collaboratively to set goals Motivate others to develop professionally

3. soft skills training Performance Discussions Performance feedback discussions do not replace solid ‘day to day’ workplace communication. Performance feedback discussion are the formal middle step in an ongoing dialogue between an employee and his or her supervisor.

4. soft skills training Performance Discussions Air concerns Talk about career and learning opportunities Set goals Be inspired

5. soft skills training Performance Discussions Performance feedback discussions are not a test or a competition Performance feedback discussions must be held in an atmosphere of trust

6. soft skills training Performance Discussions Give people plenty of notice Invite them to the interview yourself Meet in a neutral environment free of barriers

7. soft skills training Performance Discussions Preparation Study job description Familiarize yourself with previous performance agreements Work through the job description to make sure it is accurate

8. soft skills training Performance Discussions Build confidence Build competence Gain contribution

9. soft skills training Performance Discussion Performance feedback discussions must be held in an atmosphere of trust

10. soft skills training Performance Discussions Allow ample time Close the door Don’t take phone calls or queries

11. soft skills training Performance Discussions Have positive body language Lean forward a little Use open hand gestures Look relaxed

12. soft skills training Performance Discussions No surprises No Bombshells Performance feedback discussions are not disciplinary meetings Concentrating on trivia is unproductive

13. soft skills training Performance Discussions Tackle contentious issues only when there is a pattern of behavior Start with something positive Recognize strengths and achievements

14. soft skills training Positive Feedback Sincere (make sure it’s true) Specific (describe behavior in detail) Describe how you feel and how the behavior impacted on you and the organization Personal (use the ‘I’ word) Open to detail (let them tell you more)

15. soft skills training Performance Discussions Encourage self appraisal 90% of people rate themselves either at or below what their managers or team leaders would

16. soft skills training Use Open Questions Who? What? Where? How?

17. soft skills training Performance Discussions Performance feedback discussions are not the same as wage and salary reviews

18. soft skills training Performance Discussions Have an agenda Deal with one activity at a time

19. soft skills training Performance Discussions Isolate areas for discussion State your observations clearly and calmly Avoid any tone that can be perceived as an accusation

20. soft skills training Performance Discussions Listen to their perspective Resist the urge to speak yourself (give them space) Show interest and continue to be encouraging Acknowledge what they’ve got to say Summarize the discussion

21. soft skills training Performance Discussions Show empathy

22. soft skills training Performance Discussions Understand the difference between empathy and sympathy Empathy is the ability to put yourself in some else’s shoes to understand the situation Sympathy includes the extra step of sharing that situation, embracing any problems and taking them on as your own.

23. soft skills training Performance Discussions Reflect on the information Talk about weaknesses in terms of learning opportunities Identify and agree on learning opportunities

24. soft skills training Performance Discussion Set goals and agree on outcomes Build consensus Visualize success Make goals specific and measureable

25. soft skills training Performance Discussions Embrace others Include a time, schedule and financial budget

26. soft skills training Performance Discussions Avoid thinking that rating people is always objective and impartial Emphasize what you will do