Coaching for Performance: Elevating Appraisals through Radical Candour and Engagement

As we approach that crucial time in the business calendar for appraisals, it’s essential to remember that appraisals shouldn’t be a once-a-year activity. They’re an opportunity to build a culture that thrives on continuous growth, learning and mutual respect.

I really like the words of John Quincy Adams, "If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader." With this mindset, performance appraisals become a powerful gateway to progress for individuals and teams alike.?

The Foundation: Shifting to a culture of continuous feedback?

Too often, performance reviews become a routine chore rather than an engaging, developmental conversation. When appraisals focus solely on results without addressing the individual, opportunities to inspire develop, and retain talent are missed. By moving from a traditional outcome-focused approach to one of continuous feedback, we create an environment where growth is ongoing, not confined to an annual meeting.?

1. Radical Candour: A model for embracing authentic feedback?

One of the most impactful models we’ve come across for building a culture of open, effective feedback is?Radical Candour. Rooted in “caring personally” while “challenging directly,” Radical Candour encourages leaders to build trust by balancing empathy with honesty. This approach transforms appraisals by:?

• Fostering personal connection: When managers show genuine care, it creates a foundation of trust, making employees more receptive to feedback.?

• Promoting clarity and openness: Avoiding tough conversations out of fear of conflict often leads to misunderstandings and missed growth opportunities. Radical Candour supports managers in giving clear feedback without compromising kindness, helping employees understand exactly where they stand and how they can grow.?

?As Kim Scott, author of?Radical Candor, describes, “It's about being able to tell people when they’re not getting it right without crushing their spirits.” Radical Candour isn’t just about appraisals—it’s about creating a culture where feedback is seen as a valued, integral part of daily work.?

2. Creating an “Excellence Profile” to drive alignment?

To align appraisals with individual and organisational goals, we advocate for an “Excellence Profile,” which clarifies performance expectations and establishes pathways for success. Here’s how it fosters clarity and engagement:?

• Setting clear expectations: By defining objectives linked to the company’s vision, employees see their role in achieving broader goals.?

• Encouraging self-ownership: When employees take an active role in their development, the appraisal process becomes more empowering and impactful.?

3. Shift from assessment to coaching for ongoing growth?

While traditional appraisals often emphasise past performance, coaching-centred reviews prioritise future potential, focusing on what an employee can achieve. Integrating coaching into the appraisal process includes:?

• Encouraging self-reflection: Starting with self-assessment helps employees identify their strengths and areas for growth, fostering self-awareness.?

• Active listening: Managers build rapport and trust when they listen carefully, enhancing morale and engagement.?

• Setting SMART objectives: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Timely goals provide a clear roadmap, enabling employees to see tangible steps forward.?

4. Transforming feedback into a development tool?

Feedback is the foundation of an effective, coaching-centred appraisal process. Using Radical Candour principles, feedback becomes a continuous development tool:?

• Provide specific examples: General feedback often lacks impact. Specific examples make it easier for employees to understand areas for improvement and to act on them.?

• Use “I” statements: Framing feedback with “I” statements, like “I noticed…” or “I appreciate…,” keeps it constructive, focusing on behaviours rather than personal traits.?

• Balance criticism with praise: Constructive feedback is crucial, but recognising and celebrating positive behaviours motivates employees and reinforces desired outcomes.?

5. The 9-Box Grid: A strategic tool for talent development?

The 9-box grid provides a valuable overview of team performance and potential, supporting strategic development and succession planning:?

• Identify future leaders: Highlighting individuals who excel in their roles and are ready for new challenges supports future succession planning.?

• Address underperformance proactively: Providing additional support or considering alternative roles can help underperformers maximise their strengths.?

6. Monthly team health checks for consistent engagement?

Regular “team health checks” allow managers to proactively address issues, support high performers, and maintain team morale. A well-rounded health check includes:?

• Assessing team dynamics: Evaluating team cohesion, communication, and engagement identifies areas needing improvement and helps address challenges proactively.?

• Monitoring retention risks: Regularly assessing high performers who may be at risk of leaving helps in talent retention, particularly in competitive industries.?

• Celebrating wins: Recognising team and individual accomplishments promotes a positive, motivated work environment.?

Embracing a Feedback Culture: Insights from Pixar’s Braintrust?

Another powerful model for embracing continuous feedback can be found in?Creativity, Inc.?by Ed Catmull, co-founder of Pixar. Catmull describes Pixar’s “Braintrust” meetings, where candid, constructive feedback is shared without hierarchy. “The Braintrust doesn’t tell the filmmaker what to do,” Catmull writes. “Instead, it addresses the filmmaker as a peer, probing, questioning, and encouraging, in a way that forces them to come up with their own answers.” This approach shows the power of creating an environment where open, honest feedback flows freely, enabling teams to self-correct, innovate, and reach new heights together.?

Conclusion: Turning appraisals into gateways for success?

By reimagining appraisals through Radical Candour and coaching principles, they become meaningful conversations that foster engagement, growth, and trust. With a people-centred approach grounded in Radical Candour and practices like Pixar’s Braintrust, feedback becomes a celebrated part of the culture—empowering employees and aligning their success with the organisation’s goals.?

As we enter this appraisal season, let’s make performance reviews one of the most meaningful interactions of the year. By turning appraisals into growth opportunities, we can inspire our teams to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more. Together, we can build a culture that values continuous feedback and personal development at every level, elevating performance across the board.?

?At Actus Consulting we've worked with many businesses on helping them improve team performance via supporting employee growth and development.?Contact us via [email protected] or 020 8133 1845 to learn more.

And remember, incredible things happen when you focus on growth with purpose!