- SportsGrad Talent
- Posts
- What makes a great performance review?
What makes a great performance review?
Ryan Walker
April 03, 2024
Hello hiring machines!
Welcome back to the SportsGrad Talent Newsletter, your bite-sized guide to attract and retain elite operators.
Every fortnight, we share insights from our community to help you hire better candidates who stick around for longer.
This week the SportsGrad Community told us about:
Performance reviews can be daunting and stressful for staff and managers. They’re often perceived as a negative meeting to talk about all the things that went wrong over the year, however when used effectively, they can be a tool that builds strong connection and engagement with your staff. Here’s what makes a great performance review according to the SportsGrad Community:
1. Be concise when addressing underperformance
Full-Time, 2y exp - “While it can be uncomfortable, clear communication is key to managing someone who is not performing. Stepping back and thinking about why or how that person is underperforming is an easy to make assumptions or decisions under the cloud of emotion”
Full-Time, 1y exp - “We addresses underperformance through collaboration between line managers and HR. If an individual's performance declines, they receive support to improve. If no improvement occurs, HR evaluates whether the role suits the individual”
Full-Time, 3y exp - “Even if goals aren’t on track there is a program to help them steer in the right direction that goes through people and culture”
2. Review professional AND personal goals
Full-time, 4y exp - “I sit down with my line manager and talk about personal goals, as well as professional goals”
Full-Time, 2y exp - “We have indicators for participation numbers, budget outcomes, and key milestones or events which are all measurable. These are considered in our yearly performance review, however, it’s not do or die. Yes, we set stretch targets, and we want to hit them, but how we get there is just as important as the outcome”
Full-Time, 2y exp - “We review how we are living by our trademark. At the start we take a moment and reflect on an occasion when we’ve demonstrated our organisations values. This promotes a people-first approach which truly maximises outcomes”
Full-Time, 2y exp -”Goals can be measured by numbers and financial aspects as well as how we personally felt depending on variables”
3. Review more than once per year
Full-Time, 1y exp -”My employer conducts quarterly performance reviews facilitated by managers and HR, assessing alignment with the company's values. Performance is evaluated based on task execution frequency, becoming a go-to resource for exceptional results.”
Full-Time, 4y exp - “At the end of the year, we sit down with our direct line manager to assess how we went with achieving these goals. In June/July, we can assess if we are on track and if any changes are needed”
Full-Time, 1y exp - “High performers are rewarded through a bonus structure, leadership and development opportunities at a global scale, and increased remuneration”
Full-Time, 1y exp - “My workplace implements a structured 90-day plan framework, collaboratively designed by individuals and their managers, ensuring alignment with HR and line management. This setup fosters accountability, ensuring individuals meet their role requirements”
4. Involve the employee in setting goals
Full-Time, 3y exp -”My employer sets KPIs then asks us to set 4-5 goals for the year, which includes performance and personal goals. These goals are then reviewed each time we catch up fortnightly to check in on how they’re progressing”
Full-Time, 2y exp -”Being involved in the goal-setting process works well as we feel important and considered throughout”
Full-Time, 4y exp - “At the start of the year, each person in the team will need to submit their goals. Growth, impact & team are the 3 x business/role focused goals. Our 4th goal is personal - what do I want to achieve in 2024?”
✍️ Ryan’s Note: A big theme that has come out of collecting insights from our community is the need for positive reinforcement. Reviews are a great way to know where you’re at, so a way to feel comfortable is reviewing performance regularly, both professionally and personally. Including the employee in the creation of goals also makes them feel included and builds buy in. Good communication coupled with regular reviews is key to making employees confident.
Keep reading for some more insights into our community and how you can get involved.
Let’s get it!
Ryan Walker 💛
Co-Founder
Meet the Community 💛
Get a taste of our Community, check out their stories below 👇
Become a Corporate Member 🤝
Networking is equally important to fill your pipeline of candidates.
So if you haven’t got the time to attend every event, reply to every message, or scroll LinkedIn, our network of talent can give you your precious time back.
Become a SportsGrad Corporate Member and save thousands of hours and dollars.
Unlimited Job Posts - scale your team rapidly with bulk ads
Speedy Shortlisting - Contact us at any time to get quick talent recommendations
Discounted Recruitment - We’ll do the heavy lifting for you to find the perfect candidate
Talent Recommendations 🔥
Need someone quickly and don’t want to go to market? We’ve got people ready to go. Reach out for an introduction.
Perth based member with over 2 years experience, currently working in community and grassroots
Brisbane based member, 3 years of experience in events, looking for opportunities in events management, project management & disability sport
Adelaide based member, over 3 years of experience in media and content and looking for social media and communications roles.
Other ways to get involved with SportsGrad 🤓
📈 SportsGrad Pro Discount - Help your staff grow their career by tuning into monthly industry expert Q&A’s and building their network. Book a call.
🎪 Join a Job Fair - Showcase your organisation and roles available to our community. Express your interest.
🤝 Attend a Meetup - Meet talent and help your staff grow their network by attending an industry meetup. 50% discount applies for Corporate Members. Get your tickets.
💬 Join a Q&A - Got an industry superstar in your ranks? Get them to share their career wisdom with our community. Nothing needed to prepare, jump on a Zoom, answer some questions, and ‘pay it forward’. Get involved.
Latest Podcast episode you may enjoy 🎙
That’s all for now! Whenever you’re ready, there’s 4 ways we can help you hire great talent and promote your brand.
Post a job to the SportsGrad Community job board
Get unlimited job posts and talent recommendations for your organisation by becoming a Corporate Member.
Need to fill a role ASAP? Enquire about recruitment
Want to develop your staff? Let’s chat SportsGrad Pro or Meetups