Even the most well-intentioned criticism can be hard to hear.
If you need to give feedback to a peer or employee, you might feel nervous. After all, you can probably empathize — most of us have been in their position. You want the person to know where they excel and how to improve, but you don’t want to come off as harsh or lose your authority. It’s a delicate balance.
When sharing professional feedback, you need to achieve that perfect equilibrium to motivate your team to continue doing their best work. Perfect your delivery by studying these 53 performance review examples.
The importance of performance reviews
A performance review -– also known as a performance appraisal — evaluates how well an employee is tracking toward goals and upholding the company vision and values. This formal assessment documents strengths and weaknesses, expectations for improvement, and other relevant employee feedback, like kudos for a standout performance.
Performance reviews are essential because they provide managers (or employees assessing their peers) with a set time and structure for delivering in-depth, example-driven feedback. It’s also an opportunity for the reviewer to set metrics-based expectations so the reviewee knows how to improve for next time.
Plus, performance reviews are an excellent opportunity to open lines of communication between peers or a manager and their direct reports. Both sides can clarify questions or concerns about performance, and the reviewer may use this time to motivate the reviewee. These types of workplace conversations build more trusting, engaged, and caring professional relationships.
Unfortunately, typical performance reviews only inspire 14% of employees. In other words, reviewers need to step up their own performance if they want to make an impression during these meetings.
53 performance review examples
Effective performance reviews are level-headed and honest. They aren’t excuses to scold an employee for a mistake or poor performance. They make time to offer constructive criticism, praise what the team member is doing well, and provide suggested areas for improvement.
To keep the conversation as productive as possible, study our list of performance evaluation examples that provide focused feedback and maintain an upbeat, inspiring tone that doesn’t undermine the seriousness of the commentary.
Here are 53 employee evaluation examples for various scenarios.
Communication
Good workplace communication helps teams clearly express ideas and work through problems effectively. Respectful communication also fosters healthy social relationships between peers, which are essential for a positive work culture.
When you assess a colleague on this interpersonal skill, focus on the politeness of their interactions, the coherence of how they present information, and their ability to listen to others actively.
Praise
Use performance evaluation comments like the following when a colleague has done an exceptional job of clearly and respectfully communicating:
1. “I’ve noticed how clearly you communicate complex concepts to clients. I really admire this ability.”
2. “You’re excellent at solving conflicts. Thank you for taking on this responsibility.”
3. “Several of your teammates have told me how pleasant it is to work with you. Thank you for being such a respectful communicator.”
4. “I’ve been observing your standout negotiation skills and will continue to look for opportunities for you to use them.”
5. “I’d like to congratulate you on your clear and easy-to-follow presentations. Would you consider giving a workshop for your teammates?”
Improvement suggestions
Poor communication leads to confusion and fraught interactions. Plus, muddled instructions or explanations can cause project errors, and negative delivery can harm team and stakeholder relationships. It’s important for each team member to have this skill.
Here’s how to cite communication that needs improving:
6. “I’ve noticed that you sometimes miss part of an explanation. I have helpful materials on active listening I recommend taking a look at.”
7. “Clients have noted that your explanations are difficult to understand. You have a strong grasp of complex concepts, but let’s work together on ways to break them down for an unfamiliar audience.”
8. “I’d appreciate it if you could communicate when there’s an issue on a project or you have a question. I’ve seen delays and errors due to a lack of updates.”
9. “Some of your emails to clients have had spelling and grammar errors. Could you make an extra effort to check your work so that we keep our company communication as polished as possible?”
10. “Your teammates have cited rude interactions with you. We must keep communication respectful. Is something going on that’s causing you frustration or prompting these interactions?”
Innovation and creativity
Innovative solutions and creativity allow organizations to generate new products and services, build a more resonant brand image, and connect successfully with their target audience. When giving a performance review, provide positive feedback on how the person contributes to the team or company’s growth.
Praise
Teammates who offer fresh ideas for projects or ways to improve company processes to boost efficiency deserve a proverbial pat on the back. Here are five performance appraisal examples that show how to give it:
11. “Last quarter, you saved our team 50 hours of administrative work with your solution for streamlining databases. Thank you for this invaluable idea.”
12. “The marketing campaign you created to target younger audiences has been one of our most successful. Everyone on our team has something to learn from you.”
13. “You’ve been integral to launching one of the most innovative apps on the market. You should be proud of yourself. You’re helping a lot of end users.”
14. “I admire the way you creatively approach complex problems. You resolved a tricky supply chain issue that kept our deliveries on track.”
15. “You deeply understand the brand image and voice. All of your marketing copy and designs represent us well.”
Improvement suggestions
Team members in creativity- and innovation-driven roles may stagnate. Your organization might have a performance review template you can follow to zero on in how to improve in these areas. You can also use the following feedback pieces to push them in the right direction:
16. "You’re one of our most valued graphic designers. However, I’ve noticed that your recent designs have been similar. Let’s talk about ways to innovate.”
17. “Since you’re in a leadership role, I would like it if you took more initiative to offer creative solutions to problems. I have some reading to guide you.”
18. “I’ve noticed that your copy lacks that fresh voice we admire. Have you also tracked this change, and what solutions do you have to liven up the writing?”
19. “You’ve offered some of the most innovative development ideas our company’s seen. But you’ve been quiet in brainstorming sessions lately. Let’s talk about what may be going on.”
20. “Your latest product innovation had flaws resulting from rushed work and a lack of attention to detail. Does that resonate?”
Leadership
Everyone can be a leader — regardless of their rank at an organization. Team members set examples for their peers, and managers guide reports toward success. Whether you’re giving a performance review for a veteran or an entry-level employee, address their leadership skills where you can.
Praise
When an employee exceeds expectations by mentoring others, taking charge of problems, and upholding organizational values, recognize their outstanding work with phrases like the following:
21. “Your positive attitude, willingness to take on more responsibility, and ability to explain concepts to your peers makes you an example to all.”
22. “I appreciate your advances in developing better leadership skills, like clear communication and excellent negotiation tactics. Kudos.”
23. “I know you started here recently, but many people already look up to you. You take initiative, aren’t afraid to share ideas, and treat your peers respectfully.”
24. “Since you’ve become a project manager, the development team consistently delivers quality outputs on time. You’re doing a great job guiding the group.”
25. “When there was a conflict with a client last month, you stepped in to manage it. You have the makings of a great leader.”
Improvement suggestions
If an employee like a project manager or team lead isn’t mentoring others as well as they could, a performance review is the perfect moment to tackle the issue. And if you have a stellar employee who isn’t showing the leadership and initiative required to earn them a promotion, they might need some encouragement to strengthen these skills. Use the following examples as a guide for wording your feedback:
26. “You’ve consistently been an excellent leader, but teammates have reported a lack of mentorship on recent projects, leading to confusion and poor results. What can we do to improve the clarity of your communication and guidance?”
27. “I’ve noticed that you’re stepping back from public speaking opportunities. You’re a strong leader already, but giving talks is an inevitable part of your role. Here’s information on a speaking course I took that could help.”
28. “Some of your teammates have said you’re difficult to approach with a problem. Let’s work to improve your communication skills to make others comfortable asking you for help.”
29. “Your communication and mentorship skills are unmatched, but you still have to improve your time management skills. Several projects have run late, impacting client deliveries.”
30. “You form excellent social relationships with your team, but you may be getting too close. I’m concerned you could lose your authority if you continue to act more like a peer than a mentor.”
Collaboration and teamwork
Teams must work well together — it’s synergy that allows them to accomplish more than they’d be able to alone. Collaboration drives better organizational results and fosters a communicative, innovative work environment. Here’s how to tackle this topic in a performance appraisal.
Praise
Certain team members go above and beyond to help peers, manage conflicts, and share their knowledge. Reward them with statements like the following:
31. “You’re an excellent resource for new team members. Thank you for being willing to share what you know.”
32. “Your ability to adapt when obstacles arise and encourage your teammates to do the same has saved us from late deliveries several times. Congratulations, and thank you.”
33. “You didn’t have to navigate that conflict between your peers last week, but you stepped up. I think everyone in your group learned something from you that day.”
34. “I know you’d like to be doing more on projects, but I appreciate that you’re splitting the work with newer teammates so they can learn. Exciting opportunities are coming your way soon.”
35. “Your team traditionally had trouble working together. Thank you for identifying their strengths and guiding them as a leader to use them in harmony.”
Improvement suggestions
Employees resisting participation in a team or creating conflicts must change behaviors to help their peers thrive. Here are a few ways to suggest improvements:
36. “I’ve noticed that you’ve been canceling team meetings and avoiding social events. Let’s talk about what’s going on.”
37. “It’s great to challenge your peers' ideas, but I’ve repeatedly observed you push contrary thoughts when the rest of the team has reached a consensus. This can hold up projects, so I’d like to ask you to be more flexible.”
38. “I know you’ve been very busy, but could you take more time to share your skills with others? There are new team members who could learn from you.”
39. “You’re sometimes quick to nix others’ ideas. Try listening to their suggestions with a more open mind to be a better team player.”
40. “You’re an involved leader, and that’s an excellent trait. But sometimes, you get too close to a project, and your guidance borders on micromanaging. I’d encourage you to try taking a step back when the team is working well together.”
Work ethic and organization
Punctuality, time management, and planning keep work flowing. In performance reviews, ensure all team members understand how their work ethics contribute to overall success.
Praise
Show your appreciation to those employees who keep administrative tasks running smoothly. Here are some examples:
41. “Thank you for changing our customer relationship management system. Now everyone can access data more easily, and it’s improved our workflow.”
42. “Your persistence in implementing the Agile project management framework has paid off. We’re delivering better, more timely products to clients.”
43. “You’re never late and sometimes even early. I appreciate your dedication to punctuality. It helps meetings run on time, and the day gets off to a strong start.”
44. “You always answer clients’ emails promptly. Thank you for your dedication to excellent customer service.”
45. “As a project manager, you do a great job resolving teammate’s blockers efficiently. This allows them to perform tasks confidently and keeps projects on track.”
Improvement suggestion
Employees who consistently arrive late or have trouble organizing tasks and following company processes negatively impact others’ ability to work well — not to mention their own. Here are constructive employee review examples for those cases:
46. “You’re often tardy to meetings, which causes your teammates and clients to wait. This can be frustrating for stakeholders. I’d like to share some tips for time management.”
47. “I’ve noticed you consistently turn in work late. I’m concerned you may have too much on your plate. Let’s assess your workload.”
48. “Client emails are falling through the cracks, making us look like we don’t care. Here’s a system I use to ensure I respond to every email quickly.”
49. “I understand the new customer relationship management system is tricky, but we need everyone to get on board. Would it be helpful if I set up an additional training session to walk you through the software?”
50. “You didn’t meet your goals this quarter, so I’m modifying them for the upcoming one. Please let me know if you need tools, skills, or support to make achieving these goals possible.”
Performance review summary examples
Wrap up your review by revisiting what the employee has done well and highlighting the improvements they should make. Here are three examples you can model your performance review summary on:
51. “You’ve improved your communication and public speaking skills this quarter, making you a stronger leader. But you can still work on your task and time management skills by implementing better organizational practices.”
52. “Your first few months at the company have been a success. You’ve learned to use our tools and processes, and your teammates enjoy working with you. Next quarter, I’d like you to take more initiative in brainstorming sessions.”
53. “You’re a long-time valued employee, and you have a unique talent as a graphic designer. Your social media campaign last quarter was top-notch, but others have been stagnant. I know you can tap into your talents and do more innovative work.”
3 tips for delivering a performance review to an underperformer
You’re a compassionate leader and never want to hurt anyone’s feelings. But in a performance review, you may have to deliver tricky constructive criticism. You’re giving this feedback with the best intentions, but doing so might make the other person defensive. Keep the conversation productive and focus on framing improvement as a positive with these three tips:
- Start and end on a high note: Open the conversation with what the employee has done well and circle back to this point after giving criticism. This will remind the employee of their value.
- Use metrics: Don’t run a performance review on “gut feelings.” Quantifiable metrics and clear feedback allow you to identify areas of improvement. You must demonstrate specific examples and measurable figures to back up your claims. Otherwise, your criticism can seem unfounded.
- Offer suggestions: An employee may not know how to interpret feedback and translate it into action items. And they might have some concluding performance review questions about how to improve. Offer help and a professional development plan so the person feels inspired, capable, and supported in making the changes you suggest.
A performance review is an opportunity to foster growth
Many fear receiving and giving sub-optimal feedback. However, in performance reviews, colleagues inevitably highlight negative aspects of a person’s work.
But if you establish a healthy balance between recognizing an employee’s strengths and offering constructive feedback for improvement (like in our performance review examples), these sessions turn into growth opportunities. Your colleagues take on new challenges, acquire better skills, and become more understanding teammates thanks to criticism.
And guess what? The next performance review will be less nerve-wracking for everyone involved.
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