By Jaisurya Das
It’s appraisal season and whether you like it or not, you are besieged with pages and pages of advice on how appraisees need to handle this event with great decorum and professional élan.
Strangely however, I notice that there isn’t an appraisers’ guide on what to do!
Hence, here’s a ‘small list of the big things’ you must internalise before you appraise:
1. Do not judge a book by its cover. This isn’t the time to start looking them up and down to see how they’ve turned out for the man-slaughter! Remember, they’ve probably been out on the field the entire day and returned only now for the appraisal. How does it matter if their shirt is crumpled or their footwear looks worn out? Focus for once on the skirt and not the frills!
2. Yes, they all know you’re the Boss. Please do not waste your energies in stating the obvious. All of them have been indoctrinated on hierarchy and hence mentally prepared to be told that they have no say in the matter. Fear not, all decisions are taken by you ever and ever after. Amen. Give them a hearing and let them share their annual story too. If not involved, they must at the least believe that they have had a role to play in the entire appraisal process.
3. Appraisals are not designed to be just another annual calendar task.This is about making or breaking careers and lives linked to this. Please do give it due importance. There is a carefully thought of psychology and methodology that forms the foundation of a good appraisal system;
Do not denigrate it to random ticks in boxes and a stylish signature. Each section needs discussion and analysis and this is imperative to be fair and just. Do remember that you will also go through an appraisal albeit a different set of boxes coupled with a new signature!
4. No quickies, please. Time may be a constraint for you, but do keep in mind, that the appraisees have spent one solid year at work for this one day. Give them the time and don’t make it look like a mere formality. It’s important to spend at least 15 minutes with each person. It’s highly unlikely that any sensible discussion can be completed in less time than that. Senior appraisees will obviously need to be given more time, considering their roles and seniority.
5. Whoever said the appraisal is all about performance? Yes, I know it’s called performance appraisal; Yet that can’t negate the fact that it is meant to be a lot more than a review of the appraisees performance over the past 12 months. What is often forgotten is potential.
The potential displayed by the colleague in front of you is a critical aspect for decision-making. Often the previous year’s performance may not be up to the mark,and yet the candidate displays huge potential to grow. This must be recognised and duly rewarded. Remember, potential makes future leaders happen. Unless your team moves ahead, you cant! Do not limit yourself to being only a good judge of the past. It’s important to foresee the future too. That’s the true hallmark of a leader.
6. Look beyond verbal communication. Mature leaders and mentors do not stop at hearing. They listen (listening as opposed to hearing is a virtue that even the holy scriptures like the Bhagwad Gita refer to..) and look for every little signal that can connect them on a different level.
Understanding body language is a critical part of the leadership process and yet not many believe in going through the effort. Every little nuance in body language reflects some neural process.
This could be honesty, commitment of purpose, confidence, nervousness or just appearing comfortable. These are important signals to keep in mind since there are a lot of earnest, good people who are unable to verbally communicate their commitment to success.
7. Appraisals are about mentoring too. This is the time when good advice can be given to the appraisee on his/ her strengths and weaknesses. It’s important to point out the gaps and give them actual solutions to fill them. Appraisees value this time of the year and they would probably imbibe much more on this one occasion. Go beyond your chair, be their mentor and hold their hand to take them ahead. Unless of course they’re beyond redemption!
8. Personal vendetta must be stashed away. This is a very serious business and hence not the time to settle scores of any kind. Yes, it’s possible that some of your appraisees have not appealed to you or haven’t been part of your inner circle, but that doesn’t mean you give them a raw seal. Don’t forget, the best critics are sometime the biggest for your success!
9. Sorry, this isn’t about taking care of Jeeves, your man Friday ! Yup, the flipside. The ones you are really fond of (invariably the first to wish you every day is the first to compliment your shirt/dress) Great PR (all internal though ) is a feel-good factor. Yes, all of us like these ‘Yes’ men / women around and you must reward such effort well. After all it’s well-orchestrated, isn’t it ? The characteristic “Boss, are you ok, You’re looking tired. Can I get you a hot cup of tea?†is the same across corporates. At best, the people and the quality of tea differ!
Be good, take them out for lunch, buy them chocolates, gift them from your next overseas visit but remind yourself that the appraisal is sacred stuff. Don’t mix the two. It can just get too heady and before you realise it, you would have half a dozen monkeys prancing on your shoulders…!
10. It’s good to be a miser but it doesn’t help you professionally. Or so I believe. I haven’t heard of leaders getting any brownie points out off being miserly with the increments and designations they hand out year on year. Give them their due. Be fair and reward well. After all,   for your appraisees that little extra makes a huge difference, while for you its just another number. Generosity where it is deserved will only act as a great catalyst for sterling performance.. And the equation is then easy: Great team performance = Great leader = Great leader with brownies, cakes and champagne!
Go for it, buddy! Show them your ‘New Improved Formula’!! Believe me, you’ll only feel great after this appraisal.
And for the appraisees who are reading this; You better live up to all the nice things I have said!!
The world is yours to conquer. Go burn it friends!
Jaisurya Das, the maverick media-evangelist eats,sleeps and romances brands.. His cerebral consulting interventions are aimed at making brands powerful and sustainable. He is also Contributing Editor of MxM India. The views expressed in this column are his own.Â