How can you use performance evaluations to build stronger relationships with your managers?

1 Prepare for the evaluation

Before the evaluation, you should review your job description, your previous feedback, your achievements, and your challenges. This will help you to identify your strengths, weaknesses, areas of improvement, and expectations. You should also prepare some questions for your manager, such as how they assess your performance, what they value most about your work, and what they expect from you in the future. Preparing for the evaluation will show your manager that you are proactive, engaged, and willing to learn.

2 Listen actively and respectfully

During the evaluation, you should listen actively and respectfully to your manager's feedback, opinions, and suggestions. This means that you should pay attention, avoid interruptions, ask clarifying questions, and acknowledge their points. You should also avoid being defensive, argumentative, or dismissive, even if you disagree with some of their comments. Listening actively and respectfully will show your manager that you value their input, respect their authority, and are open to different perspectives.

3 Share your achievements and challenges

While listening is important, you should also share your own achievements and challenges with your manager. You should highlight the positive outcomes and impacts of your work, the skills and knowledge you have gained, and the recognition and appreciation you have received. You should also be honest and humble about the difficulties and obstacles you have faced, the mistakes and failures you have learned from, and the areas and goals you are working on. Sharing your achievements and challenges will show your manager that you are confident, accountable, and growth-oriented.

4 Ask for feedback and guidance

Another way to use performance evaluations to build stronger relationships with your managers is to ask for feedback and guidance. You should seek constructive criticism, advice, and support from your manager on how to improve your performance, develop your skills, and advance your career. You should also express your appreciation and gratitude for their feedback and guidance, and show how you plan to implement their suggestions. Asking for feedback and guidance will show your manager that you are motivated, curious, and committed.

5 Negotiate your expectations and resources

Performance evaluations are also a good time to negotiate your expectations and resources with your manager. You should discuss your current and future responsibilities, tasks, and projects, and how they align with your interests, strengths, and goals. You should also communicate your needs and requests for resources, such as training, equipment, support, or flexibility. You should be realistic, reasonable, and respectful when negotiating your expectations and resources, and try to find a balance between your manager's and your own priorities. Negotiating your expectations and resources will show your manager that you are proactive, adaptable, and collaborative.

6 Follow up and follow through

After the evaluation, you should follow up and follow through with your manager. You should review the main points and action items from the evaluation, and confirm your understanding and agreement with your manager. You should also update your manager on your progress, achievements, and challenges, and seek their feedback and guidance as needed. You should also keep your promises, meet your deadlines, and deliver your results. Following up and follow through will show your manager that you are reliable, consistent, and trustworthy.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?