Issue #8: It’s Time to Turn Performance Reviews Upside Down
Together, let’s tackle manager burnout and enhance team engagement by redefining performance reviews + some spooky Halloween celebration ideas
Hey there, balanced.boss crew! 👋
It's officially spooky season, and with Halloween right around the corner, I’ve got some fun ideas to engage your remote teams in this week’s tip. But before we dive into that, we’re also tackling an important topic—how to turn those dreaded performance reviews into meaningful conversations about growth and the future. If you’re ready to reimagine feedback sessions and embrace a new approach, I’ve got some tips for you!
And don't miss the latest insights from Gallup’s Global Workplace Report—it’s packed with valuable findings, especially for leaders balancing the stress of managing teams and well-being.
Now, let’s get into the Halloween fun and start planning that remote celebration!
📌Tip of the Week
Host a Remote Halloween Celebration! 🎃👻
Looking to engage your remote team? Try these festive ideas to get everyone in the spirit, no matter where they are:
Virtual Pumpkin Carving Contest: Have team members carve their pumpkins at home and submit photos of their creations. Award prizes for categories like "Most Creative" or "Scariest." Prize Idea: Physical trophy or badge OR Digital Background including bragging rights!
Costume Contest: Encourage everyone to dress up for your virtual meeting. You can even make it themed (e.g., favorite movie characters or spooky creatures). Let the team vote on the best costume, and don't forget to share photos afterward!
Halloween-Themed Games: Play trivia with spooky facts or a "guess the haunted movie" game. It's a great way to break the ice and add some fun to the workday.
Pet Costume Parade: If your team members have pets, encourage them to dress their furry friends in costumes and show them off during the virtual call. You can have categories like "Cutest," "Funniest," and "Best Pet/Owner Duo." It's a fun way to bring some lightheartedness to your Halloween celebration!
Turning Performance Reviews into Conversations About the Future
Let’s face it…performance reviews often feel like something we have to do rather than something we want to do. For both leaders and employees, the traditional format can seem like it's more about pointing out past mistakes than sparking real growth. But what if these meetings could be less about the past and more about creating a roadmap for what’s next?
By shifting the focus forward, leaders can transform performance reviews into valuable discussions that drive growth, boost engagement, and set the stage for long-term success.
Take Sarah, a product manager at a growing tech startup, for example. She used to dread her annual review. It felt like every meeting was centered around what she didn’t do well, and the whole process left her feeling uncertain about her future.
Her manager, Alex, wasn’t much more excited about the reviews either. To him, they felt like something on the to-do list that didn’t seem to add real value. Both of them would leave those meetings feeling unfulfilled—Sarah unsure about where she was headed, and Alex missing an opportunity to help her grow.
Then Alex decided to try something new.
Instead of sticking to the same format, he focused their next conversation on the future. After acknowledging Sarah’s strengths, he asked her, “What would success look like for you in the next six months? What skills do you want to develop, and how can I help support you?”
Sarah was taken aback. This time, the conversation felt productive—like a strategy session instead of a critique. They discussed her career goals, mapped out steps for her growth, and Alex found ways to mentor her better. That one conversation completely shifted how Sarah saw her future with the company and reignited her motivation.
Why Traditional Reviews Are Challenging for Leaders
In many companies, performance reviews still focus on looking back at what’s already happened. Managers evaluate past performance, often using scores or ratings, and feedback tends to be focused on what employees did wrong or right. This backward approach comes with its challenges:
Disengagement: Employees like Sarah often feel these reviews focus too much on their flaws, making them feel undervalued or underappreciated.
Missed Development Opportunities: Focusing on the past means missing chances to discuss future growth, which should be a central part of any review.
Time Pressure: With many reviews to complete, managers often rush through the process, which can result in shallow feedback that doesn’t leave much of an impact.
Resistance to Feedback: Some employees may feel defensive when the review feels overly critical, especially if they don’t get the chance to discuss their goals and progress throughout the year. This can make the whole process stressful instead of inspiring.
How to Make Performance Reviews More Meaningful
To shift performance reviews from backward-looking evaluations to forward-focused discussions, leaders can try a few key strategies:
Conducting regular check-ins - instead of saving feedback for a once-a-year meeting, make it a habit to check in regularly. This allows for more real-time feedback and makes the year-end review feel less daunting.
Be focused on the future - leaders like Alex, who center the conversation on future goals and aspirations, help employees feel excited about their next steps. Talk about career growth, upcoming projects, and what skills they want to build.
Gather feedback and complete a 36 review. Gathering feedback from multiple sources, kike peers and direct reports, can give a fuller picture of an employee’s contributions and reduce bias. It also emphasizes teamwork, which often gets overlooked in traditional top-down reviews.
Set clear and measurable goals together. Every review should end with clear, actionable goals that employees can work toward. Whether it’s building a new skill or taking on more responsibility, having concrete next steps gives employees a sense of direction.
Be supportive. Make sure reviews happen in a space where employees feel safe to share and ask questions. When feedback is given with the intent to help them grow, people are more likely to leave the conversation feeling empowered.
Turning Reviews into a Strategic Tool
By transforming performance reviews into forward-focused discussions, leaders can change how their team members view these meetings.
It’s not just about reflecting on the past anymore, it’s about planning for the future.
Leaders like Alex, who invest in their team's potential, foster a culture of growth and engagement. When done right, performance reviews can be a powerful tool for aligning individual development with company goals, turning what used to be a dreaded task into a meaningful conversation about what comes next.
👉 Need help identifying core competencies for your team - Free list here
New Global Workplace Report from Gallup
Gallup recently published it’s 2024 State of the Global Workplace1 - The Voice of the World’s Employees report and it shed light on three main areas:
Employee Mental Health
The Role of Economics and Policy in the Wellbeing of Workers
The Role of the Manager in Worker Wellbeing and Organizational Performance
Managers Are More Likely to be Stressed
The report found that managers are more likely to be stressed, angry, sad and lonely than non-managers. Although being a manager has its perks, that does not mean it is easy.
So, how can we combat this as busy leaders?
Make time for yourself! Regular exercise, mindfulness, and getting enough rest can work wonders for your well-being. When you take care of yourself, you set a positive example for your team.
Create a safe space for your team to share their challenges. Encourage open discussions about mental health and stress—it's okay to ask for help! Open communication can lead to more engaged teams and reduce stress for everyone.
Build support networks, peer groups like the balanced.boss+ Community. These can be invaluable for sharing experiences and coping strategies, helping you and your team feel more resilient.
Advocate for a healthy work-life balance. Support flexible work arrangements and respect personal time. When leaders model balance, it boosts engagement and job satisfaction across the board.
Wellness Corner
Unplugging For Better Mental Health
With constant access to technology and the demands of remote work, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by screens. This wellness tip encourages readers to incorporate a digital detox into their routines to reduce stress, improve sleep quality, and enhance focus.
Actionable Tips:
Set “Tech-Free” Times: Suggest creating no-screen zones, like during meals or 30 minutes before bed.
Nature Breaks: Encourage spending time outdoors without phones, even if it’s just a short walk.
Unsubscribe from Noise: Recommend cleaning up digital clutter by unsubscribing from non-essential emails or silencing non-urgent notifications.
p.s Keep an eye out for the 2025 Digital Detox Challenge - happening this January!!
Follow up on LinkedIn to join the challenge.
Community Insights
Happening this weekend our first in-person event!
If you’re in the Palm Beach County, Florida area come out and join us for a morning walk, bring friends and family!
Balanced in Nature - Join us @ Wakodahatchee, Saturday October 26th
Located in the heart of Palm Beach County, Wakodahatchee Wetlands offers stunning views of local wildlife and a peaceful setting for a refreshing morning walk. We'll start at 8:30 AM with a relaxed stroll along the boardwalk, providing plenty of opportunities to chat, take photos, and soak in the natural beauty.
The goal is simple: take a break from the hustle, enjoy the outdoors, and build connections. Whether you're a long-time balanced.boss subscriber or new to the community, come as you are, and get ready to connect and recharge.
Feel free to bring snacks, water, and anything else to stay comfortable!
RSVP to the event here: https://www.linkedin.com/events/7240328540007649283/comments/
Until next time, stay well.
𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒂𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒅.𝒃𝒐𝒔𝒔 𝒕𝒆𝒂𝒎
1 https://www.gallup.com/workplace/349484/state-of-the-global-workplace.aspx
* Consult Your Doctor First: Before starting any new exercise routines, wellness plans, or making significant changes to your diet, it’s important to consult with your doctor or healthcare provider. They can help ensure that any new practices are safe and appropriate for your individual health needs. Your well-being is our top priority, so please take this step before making any changes.