How does your performance check list stack up to this one? If your boss, manager or leader is being proactive about your performance, they may use some of these criteria when assessing performance in their organization.

  • Quality of Work. Some job outputs require a minimum standard to pass inspections or other standardized tests. If the manager is the sole evaluator, it become more subjective, and may vary between reviewers. How do you standardize quality given different levels of expectations between managers?
  • Quantity of Work. Sometimes quantity is more important. If there is automation, it may be run time. There may be balanced score card goals such as making 80 calls a day in sales, regardless of the outcome. Learn why some of it not work from “The Unfulfilled Promise of the Balanced Scorecard. Why? At what level does quality and quantity produce negative affects?
  • Relationships with Clients. Your client may be internal or external. In either case, they are the people you provide some level of service to or input into their job.
  • Relationships with Co-Workers. Having strong relationships with people who may call upon you occasionally let’s you get things done more efficiently. Is there a strong investment in creating good partnerships, or is all party time talk.
  • Network Relationship Skills. Do you have a strong network of peers outside your organization who you can call upon for advice? They may be in your industry or outside; either way having access to current and relevant information will increase your internal marketability and worth.
  • Mentors Others. Is your job all about you, or do you offer your wisdom and hard earned lessons to the up and coming stars? How frequently do you meet with individuals? Are you sought out by others because you share freely?
  • Problem-Solving. Are you able to assess a situation clearly and generate a number of different solutions? How are you at doing the… “what ifs”? Are you able to solve simple and complex problems?
  • Decision-making. Can you make a decision? How long does it take to make a decision? Who do you involve in the decision making process? Are there different levels of decision making criteria you use? Are you decisions the right ones?
  • Budget Friendly. Are you able to produce a realistic budget? Are you able to keep the budget intact while deliver the results of your project or group?
  • Meets Deadlines. Are you good at preparing and following a schedule? Do you meet internal department requests with ease? Is your external customer happy with your response rate to them?
  • Technical Know How. Does your position require specific training or certifications? How do you apply it?
  • Initiative. Do you ask for projects or wait to be asked? Do you perform only the task that are required or do you assist the manager or a co-worker in helping to do their work?
  • Presentation Skills. Are you comfortable speaking in front of group? If asked to prepare a presentation or talk to the management, could you organize your thoughts effectively? Is there a balance between what you say, the data, words and white space?
  • Writing Skills. How is your email communication to internal colleagues and external customers? Do you write in a style that is acceptable or is it seen as confrontational or demanding? How well do you prepare summaries for management? Are your ideas clear and to the point?

    • Feel free to add your criteria via our comments.