Performance Check-Ins
Performance check-ins are a series of regular conversations between managers and employees about work, progress, and goals throughout the year.
Managers use these meetings to discuss topics that impact the employee experience. Depending on the needs of your employees, check-ins may review:
Career growth and development
Recognition and feeling valued
Goals and role alignment
Job performance
Organizational feedback
Relationships and manager effectiveness
Work-life balance
In short, check-ins allow managers and employees to hit the “pause” button; hopefully, several or more times a year, discuss what’s working well and what isn’t, and assess individual alignment and satisfaction.
But what’s the perfect procedure for employee performance check-ins?
1. Decide on the frequency of your performance check-ins: Workplace experts recommend conducting at least monthly employee performance check-ins to help managers:
Stay up-to-date on performance progress
Ensure alignment on individual and team goals
Celebrate successes and support failures
Build open, trusting relationships
2. Pick a location: Changing up your scenery for performance check-ins can improve your discussion. Unlike performance reviews, check-ins allow for more free-flowing (and sometimes personal) conversation. Going to lunch or grabbing coffee with an employee for check-in can help set the tone for the discussion.
3. Plan the structure of your performance check-in: How will you decide the topic of each meeting? You don’t need a rigid system behind each check-in, but having an outlined system in mind will aid your performance and employee engagement strategy.
Here are some questions you could include that focus on three key areas: building a rapport, deciding on short-term priorities, and setting long-term goals.
As your business changes, your employees will need continuous support from their managers. Managers play an essential role in ensuring employees stay engaged and perform at their highest potential.
Employee performance check-ins are an excellent tool for managers and employees. Give these meetings a try to overcome obstacles, become a better coach, and drive individual, team, and business success.
