Words are powerful, and choosing the right performance review phrases can help motivate your employees. Find out more in this article
- Performance review phrases on employee strengths
- Performance review phrases offering constructive criticism
- Performance review phrases for encouraging professional growth
- Performance review phrases on leadership and initiative
- What is a good phrase for a performance review?
- The long-term benefits of performance review phrases
Performance reviews can make or break engagement among employees. A 2023 study has shown that 98% of employees do not engage at work if they don’t get enough feedback. Disengaged employees result in low productivity and high turnover rates.
To give effective performance reviews, using the right language is important. In this article, we’ll share performance review phrases for employees. We’ll cover four areas:
- employee strengths
- constructive criticism
- professional growth
- leadership and initiative
After each of these performance review phrases, we’ll include a line or two to explain why it’s helpful. This article is for our audience of HR leaders, who are welcome to share this with anyone involved in the review process.
Performance review phrases on employee strengths
These types of performance review phrases are designed to encourage and motivate employees. The examples we have highlight individual strengths and how they make an impact within the team.
1. “You consistently exceed expectations in completing tasks. You always show accuracy and attention to detail.”
Why it helps: This phrase highlights how dependable an employee is when it comes to delivering high-quality assignments.
2. “You bring a positive energy to the team.”
Why it helps: An employee’s strengths are not just about skills; their positive demeanor also has a big impact on team dynamics. It's important to recognize that.
3. “You have excellent time management skills, meeting deadlines even during our busiest periods.”
Why it helps: Time management is a valuable skill. Commending the employee this way makes for an excellent performance review phrase.
4. “You show initiative and resourcefulness in addressing challenges.”
Why it helps: This statement reinforces problem-solving as a key strength and encourages proactive thinking.
5. “You can communicate complex ideas clearly and effectively to all team members.”
Why it helps: This performance review phrase is not just about the employee’s strength in communication. It also touches on potential for leadership.
6. “You consistently deliver high-quality work that meets or exceeds company standards.”
Why it helps: Three keywords: consistent, high-quality, exceeds. There’s an achiever here, and it’s important to recognize that.
7. “You build strong relationships across departments, contributing to a seamless workflow.”
Why it helps: This statement highlights how an employee’s interpersonal skills lead to harmonious relationships and new ways of working. It’s a win-win all around!
8. “You show exceptional focus and persistence, completing projects ahead of schedule.”
Why it helps: This performance review phrase makes a clear connection between focus and tenacity and the end result: efficiency.
9. “You take feedback on board, showing a strong commitment to growth.”
Why it helps: Not everybody handles feedback well. This statement commends the employee’s ability to receive criticism, showing a desire for self-improvement.
Performance review phrases offering constructive criticism
According to a 2022 study from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), framing negative feedback in a positive way can result in improved performance. This gives employees the confidence to focus on solutions rather than get bogged down by negative feedback.
Taking those points in mind, here are some performance review phrases that managers can use when offering constructive feedback:
10. “Your work consistently shows promise. With a bit more attention to detail, it could even be better. Please review each task before marking it complete to enhance quality further.”
Why it helps: This is a straightforward reminder about quality expectations and the importance of careful review.
11. “You bring valuable ideas to team meetings, and creating more space for others to contribute can enrich our discussions. Practice active listening more to give others room to share.”
Why it helps: This addresses a behavior with a specific action step to improve team interactions.
12. “Your reports have solid foundations, and adding more in-depth analysis could make them even more impactful. Try to go beyond the basics to offer deeper insights.”
Why it helps: This is clear about the expectation for deeper analysis, keeping the focus on the area of improvement.
13. “You’re great at keeping projects on track, and giving progress updates during tight deadlines would support our planning. Share updates sooner to help ensure that everything stays on course.”
Why it helps: This feedback shares the impact of communication on the team’s workflow, emphasizing proactive updates.
14. “Your independence in handling tasks is a strength. Knowing when to seek help will make it even more effective. I’d like to see you reach out to me or your teammates when you face any issues.”
Why it helps: This addresses the need for proactive communication about challenges to prevent delays.
Hear from leadership guru Simon Sinek for a slightly different take on giving critical feedback:
For more on talent management, read our article on the the trends and challenges of performance reviews.
Performance review phrases for encouraging professional growth
Positive and encouraging language is vital in drafting performance review phrases for growth and development. Here’s a few that managers can use for emerging superstars:
15. “You show great potential in leadership. You would benefit from taking a leadership course and supporting more junior colleagues.”
Why it helps: This encourages the employee to step up, preparing them for future leadership roles.
16. “To expand skills, consider participating in upcoming training sessions on [relevant topic].”
Why it helps: It steers the employee towards opportunities for further growth while allowing them to take charge of their own learning.
17. “Taking on mentorship roles could help build your leadership and communication skills further.”
Why it helps: In using this performance review phrase, the manager or team lead already recognizes the employee’s potential. Suggesting opportunities for growth via mentorship taps into that strength further.
Find out what makes a good mentor in this article.
18. “Taking the initiative on ad hoc projects within the company could widen your skill set.”
Why it helps: This statement encourages the employee to work with other teams, raising their individual profile and creating an impact across the organization.
19. “You could benefit from attending industry conferences to stay current with trends and best practices.”
Why it helps: This encourages the employee to learn new skills and helps them gain exposure within industry circles.
20. “Developing your negotiation skills further would strengthen your impact in partnership-building.”
Why it helps: This performance review phrase acknowledges a strength that could be developed even more (use of “further”). It also hints at long-term benefits (partnership-building) for the employee and the company.
21. “Consider setting quarterly objectives that align with long-term career goals and skill development.”
Why it helps: This performance review phrase fosters accountability and self-directed growth with a structured approach.
22. “Building on your technical knowledge in [specific software or skill] will support your professional growth.”
Why it helps: This encourages specialized skill development, aligning with future goals.
Photo alt text: manager and employee sit on opposite ends of a desk during a performance review meeting
Curious to know what performance review phrases are used by the top HR leaders? Reach out to one of the best HR teams in the USA for some tips and best practices.
Performance review phrases on leadership and initiative
These performance review phrases help affirm an employee’s leadership potential. Using keywords like effective leadership, initiative, and empower send strong signals that the employee is a leader in their own right.
Here are some performance review phrases highlighting leadership:
23. “Demonstrates strong leadership by guiding team members to achieve shared goals.”
Why it helps: This recognizes the employee’s ability to unite the team around common objectives, a key trait in effective leadership.
24. “Takes initiative in problem-solving, often proposing solutions before issues escalate.”
Why it helps: This statement acknowledges proactive behavior and problem-solving skills, both vital factors in leadership.
25. “Consistently leads by example, setting high standards for others in the team to follow.”
Why it helps: This highlights the importance of modeling desired behaviors, inspiring others to do the same.
26. “Shows courage in decision-making even under pressure while remaining open to team input.”
Why it helps: This performance review phrase recognizes the employee’s ability to make difficult decisions without alienating the team. True mark of a good leader.
27. “Empowers team members by delegating responsibilities and trusting their abilities.”
Why it helps: This focuses on the individual’s ability to delegate and empower, both important aspects of leadership. Sharing input from team members would strengthen this performance review phrase even more.
28. “Takes ownership of both successes and challenges.”
Why it helps: This statement acknowledges the individual’s sense of accountability and responsibility, traits that build trust and respect in a leader.
29. “Actively seeks feedback to improve leadership skills and adapt to team needs.”
Why it helps: This statement recognizes the employee’s desire for self-improvement for the benefit of the team. Putting others first – that's a sign of selfless leadership!
30. “Shows resilience and optimism, motivating the team even during challenging times.”
Why it works: This recognizes the importance of emotional intelligence and the ability to boost morale, both crucial for effective leadership.
What is a good phrase for a performance review?
A good performance review phrase has these elements:
- positive language: studies have shown that using positive language in feedback helps with employee morale
- clear and specific message: be as clear and detailed as possible, backing up any claims with evidence
- constructive criticism: positive framing helps difficult messages land better – this way, the employee becomes more receptive to the feedback
A 2021 research paper on constructive criticism describes it as the product of detailed observations and evaluation. This means constructive criticism is evidence-based.
That same paper states that constructive criticism is a tool to bring self-awareness to the employee. This results in highlighting one’s strengths and weaknesses to help them perform better.
What to say in a performance review
Performance reviews can follow some tried-and-tested frameworks, such as:
STAR framework (Situation, Task, Action, Result)
This involves going back to a specific project or situation, then mapping out the STAR elements. This helps managers stay focused and objective.
SBI model (Situation, Behavior, Impact)
This takes a similar approach to the STAR framework, focusing on observable behavior and impact instead of action and result. Read this article on how the SBI model can be used in managing a toxic employee.
Feedback sandwich (positive, constructive, positive)
This involves giving positive feedback first, then sharing constructive criticism, then closing with another positive feedback.
Some managers and HR practitioners find the feedback sandwich outdated and problematic. The positive comments tend to undermine the impact of the negative feedback. Find out why the feedback sandwich doesn’t work and explore other options.
Performance reviews call for a lot of preparation. This could mean:
- going over previous emails from the employee
- reviewing progress and completion reports
- gathering feedback from the employee’s peers and stakeholders
Using HR analytics software can help with collecting and recording feedback. Take your pick from among the 10 best HR analytics software we’ve reviewed.
What not to say in a performance review
Performance reviews offer valuable opportunities for growth. But if the wrong approach or language is used, then that might end up as a missed opportunity.
Managers should keep these points in mind when leading performance reviews:
- Avoid vague feedback: Giving feedback is about helping teammates see blind spots, so it would be good to be as specific as possible. Specific examples and evidence help, too.
- Avoid personal judgements: Use neutral language.
- Avoid harsh, critical language: Not only is this hurtful, but it’s also bound to raise the employee’s defenses. This shuts down any chance of having an open, honest conversation.
- Avoid emotional language or tone: Managers set the tone of these performance meetings, so they should maintain a professional tone all throughout.
Deliberate action and thoughtful speech are part of every meaningful performance review. What managers say in that meeting stay with employees for a long time, so it’s important to prepare and reflect on what to say.
The long-term benefits of performance review phrases
This list of performance review phrases and frameworks we’ve discussed can be part of your organization’s performance management toolkit. With practice, and in time, managers and team leaders can come up with their own phrases to use with their team.
When using performance review phrases, it’s important to be clear and honest, using specific cases/evidence to back up any points raised. In the long run, employees and managers learn from these performance reviews. Employees maximize their strengths and work on their weaknesses. Managers refine their approach in delivering feedback, focusing on the benefits and opportunities for growth.
Performance review phrases that are positive, intentional, and helpful become part of every company’s feedback culture. A work environment that promotes open communication through feedback makes employees feel valued and heard, resulting in a happy workforce.
Do you know of some effective performance review phrases that aren’t on our list? Let us know in the comments below