Language reference

Here are some examples of the language you can use to communicate more effectively about performance.

Focusing on the potential of others

⋅ What do you see as your greatest talent?

⋅ What is your next step?

⋅ How interesting would my department/project be for you?

Defining the scope of performance

⋅ ⋅

What do you see as your core role(s)?

⋅ In which other areas would you like to perform? This activity is not the best use of your skills because…

Aligning tasks and people

⋅ How motivating is your current role for you? ⋅ What are your biggest drivers at work?

⋅ So, how can we shape the role to be a better fit for you?

Supporting to enable

⋅ What support do you need at the moment from me?

⋅ Can I give you some feedback that I think is important for you?

⋅ How can we develop your skills for future challenges?

Earning the right to demand accountability

⋅ So, can you tell me why you did this / didn’t do this?

⋅ What could you have done differently?

⋅ So, can we agree that in the future, you will… ?

Talking and walking together

⋅ Sorry if I didn’t explain that clearly. I know I go too quickly sometimes.

⋅ So, what’s the best way for us to ensure high performance?

⋅ So, what can we change to enable you to perform better?

Celebrating success

⋅ I think your work on this was excellent. Thank you (all) very much.

⋅ You really helped us / the team to…

⋅ To recognize your work, I propose that…