Annual Appraisal

Enter meeting room. Direct Line Manager stands. Smiles. Offers me tea. I accept. She pours. Offers me biscuit. I wince. Biscuits to be used for external client meetings only. Especially chocolate digestives. Decide to mention Biscuit Policy at end of meeting. Direct Line manager turns over appraisal form.

Strengths. Highly organised. Good attention to detail. Effective management of operational budget. Punctual.

Areas for improvement. HR phrase for weaknesses. Overly officious all staff emails. Too many all staff emails. TOO MUCH attention to detail. No social interaction with staff. Tendency to dictate ideas. Policies unpopular. Unwilling to compromise. No positive energy. Reacts badly to criticism.

Wait. Digest.

Feedback. Address points of criticism. Emails need to be direct and too the point. If an issue arises an email needs to be sent out. Many points arise each day. Effective communication method. Know emails ignored. Irrelevant. Email sent=issue raised. Attention to detail essential. Use HR speak. Like to run a tight ship. Like a well oiled machine. Eye on the ball. Run out of clichéd lines. Social interaction not forthcoming. Wouldn’t mind. Suggest organising work function. Good idea. Note to organize function. Note to decide what. Note to use money from entertainment budget. Note to decide why. Don’t dictate. Need to be direct – mentioned earlier. Policies not meant to be popular. Meant to make workplace more efficient. Willing to compromise on sensible terms. Non ever presented. Put energy into role. Positive outcome. Do not react badly to criticism when criticism is constructive. Appraisal not constructive.

Take appraisal onboard.

Remind Direct Line Manager of Biscuit Policy.

That is all…

Olivia Appraisal

Pad. Set. Pen. Set. Water jug. Full. Glasses. Set. Wait. Check appraisal document. Check time. Olivia enters. Skirt too short. Top too low. Hair good. Comment? I decide not. She sits. She smiles. Make joke about appraisal being painless. She returns with joke about being away from desk. I don’t laugh. It’s her job. She doesn’t notice. I begin.

Overview. Positive. Makes good impression on people. Good to work with. Pleasant smile. Lovely smile. I digress. Approachable. Can do attitude. She smiles. I smile. Inside.

Strengths. Covered. She smiles.

Areas for improvement. Consult notes. Could be smarter. She smiles. More attention to detail on cab and courier bookings and meeting beverages requests. She smiles. She agrees.

Her feedback. Enjoys company. Enjoys people. Some people. I smile. She does not. Would like to grow role. Would like to learn more about other departments. Note to speak to other departments about days shadowing. Note to devolve certain duties from my post to Olivia. Note to not devolve too many.

Summary. Doing well. Well liked. Eager to progress. Firm up areas of current role first. Objectives to improve set. Appraisal successful. She leaves. I write down notes. No notes. I just write.

Email HR completed appraisal form. Receive email back confirming my appraisal for Monday PM. Begin personal feedback.

That is all…