If your team members are surprised by their performance reviews, you’ve failed as a leader.

This might sound a little harsh, but it’s true. The days of annual performance reviews as the sole vehicle for feedback are long gone. And if your team members are left bewildered by the feedback they receive, it’s not just a hiccup in communication, it’s a failure in leadership.

Surprise 😱 ➡ Demotivation 😞

When team members are blindsided by feedback, it breeds confusion, erodes trust and leads to disengagement. As leaders, we must inspire and empower, not leave our team members feeling disillusioned and disconnected.

Moving from Surprise to Consistent, Candid Feedback 🤗

• Carve Out Routine Space for Performance Conversations – Instead of relegating performance discussions to annual rituals, weave feedback into the everyday. Set a regular cadence for performance chats and then, actually have them.
• Set Clear Expectations & Provide Real Time Feedback – Set clear expectations and provide constructive feedback in real-time. Ensure feedback is a two-way street and foster an environment where team members feel safe sharing their insights and concerns as well.
• Embrace the Positive and the Constructive – Feedback shouldn’t be synonymous with criticism—celebrate successes and acknowledge accomplishments as well as addressing areas for improvement.
• Encourage Self Reflection – Guide your team members to reflect on their own performance regularly. Encourage them to set personal goals, assess their own progress and identify improvement areas. This promotes self-awareness and opens the door for more meaningful performance chats.
• Stay Connected with Key Stakeholders & Partners – Extend your feedback loop by staying closely connected with key stakeholders and partners your team member supports. Their perspectives provide valuable insights into their work and will help you understand their broader impact. Bonus: you’ll strengthen collaboration across the org.
• Provide Resources for Improvement – Don’t just point out areas of growth—be sure to offer resources and support. Whether it’s additional training, mentorship or access to resources, ensure that your team members have what they need to grow.
• Acknowledge & Learn from Your Mistakes – Leaders make mistakes too, and admitting them can strengthen trust within your team. If you’ve overlooked a big issue or provided unclear expectations, own up to it. Use it as an opportunity for growth and improvement for the whole team.

Replace the surprise ➡ demotivation cycle with a proactive approach of regular conversations, clear expectations and a genuine commitment to the team’s success. It’s about leading with clarity and purpose, and creating an environment where feedback is a natural part of the journey to excellence. 🙌