Still focused on annual reviews? Why it’s time to let them go

Some managers like their routine, but amping up your review process could get you real time results – and a more dedicated staff.

BY HRM 17 Jul 2014

Despite all the talk of real time feedback and Generation Y’s need for praise and critique some companies are still stuck in the rut of six or 12-month performance reviews.

If you’re only correcting poor performance once a year you’re doing your company and employees a disservice.

And if you’re focused on the negative it might be time to rethink, according to management coach and author Bruce Tulgan.

“My view is that feedback is much too often given when things are going wrong. I call that ‘bad-news management’ because every time they hear from you, it means something’s gone wrong. You should always give feedback when things are going wrong, but you should also give feedback when things are going right, when things are going average,” Tulgan said.

By implementing a system like Facebook’s, with frequent updates and timely feedback you can help align people’s performance with expectations and it gives them the opportunity to adjust over time, rather than trying to change course after a negative performance review.

“Part of why the ongoing dialogue works so well is it lowers the stakes in each of the conversations. Think about what happens in the six and 12-month reviews,” Tulgan said. “You’re talking to people about stuff they did six or 12 months ago, for one thing. And they’re like, ‘Wow, I wish you would have told me that at the time’.”