In this episode of For the Record, we converse with Michelle Frederick and Colin Gerker from American University’s Human Resources Talent Development team to discuss trends in performance management, ways performance management differs from a traditional model of annual performance appraisal, and practical ways to incorporate performance management into your work to improve your team’s outcomes. 

Guests: 

Michelle Frederick, Interim Director of Talent Development, Office of Human Resources, American University

Colin Gerker, Performance Consultant, Office of Human Resources, American University
 

Key Takeaways: 

Incorporating performance management best practices can increase your team’s performance by 40% over the traditional year-end appraisal process alone; performance management is a collaborative and iterative process, conducted year round; relationship building and engagement with your staff is critical; clearly articulating expectations and providing consistent, ongoing, meaningful feedback on day-to-day work is the secret sauce. 

Performance Management Resources: 

Books:

Beyond Performance: How Great Organizations Build Ultimate Competitive Advantage – by Scott Keller and Colin Price

The Change Book: Change the Way You Think About Change – by Tricia Emerson and Mary Stewart

The Making of a Manager: What To Do When Everyone Looks To You – by Julie Zhuo

Stress Less, Accomplish More: Meditation for Extraordinary Performance – by Emily Fletcher

Relationonmics: Business Powered by Relationships – by Andy Ross

The Employee Experience Advantage, How to Win the War for Talent by Giving Employees the Workspaces They Want, the Tools They Need, and a Culture They Can Celebrate – by Jacob Morgan

The Culture Code: The Secrets of Highly Successful Groups – by Daniel Coyle

Raise Your Game: High-Performance Secrets from the Best of the Best – by Alan Stein and Jon Sternfeld 

Answering Why:  Unleashing Passion, Purpose, and Performance in Younger Generations – by Mark Perna

The Vibrant Workplace: Overcoming the Obstacles to Building a Culture of Appreciation – by Dr. Paul White and Gary Chapman 

Harvard Business Review’s Manager’s Handbook: The 17 Skills Leaders Need to Stand Out 

The Essential HR Handbook: Quick and Handy Resource for any Manager or HR Professional by Sharon Armstrong and Barbara Mitchell

Podcasts:

HR Congress – Rethinking Performance Management with Tamra Chandler, author of “How Performance Management is Killing Performance And What To Do About It.”

Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) – Strengths in Numbers: What’s New In Performance Management

HR Happy Hour – We’re Only Human – How to Build a Performance Management Approach that Works