Managing Performance, Appraising and Engaging Employees: Helping Your People Achieve Success

Appraisals are widely used, formally and informally, to help leaders encourage people to become more effective. In fact, there are four main reasons for appraisals:

• To agree performance-related targets.
• To review overall performance, across a period of time, and to reward individuals.
• To focus on the development needs of the individual, so that they can achieve their goals more effectively.
• To communicate and provide information and feedback.

An appraisal helps leaders to learn more about the team, including: people’s problems and needs; where challenges or opportunities lie, and how team members’ aspirations are being fulfilled. Also, regular, structured appraisals are a very powerful tool for improving individual performance and productivity.