It’s that time again! That moment of dread. But don’t worry. Before you hyperventilate and hide away with reruns of Seinfeld, take a breath and remain calm, because I have great news. I’m here for you. Just call me your business Yoda. I’ve created an easy-to-follow roadmap for your success. In this article, I’ll teach you how to ace your performance review in four simple moves. Now, it won’t be easy. And this blueprint is not for the faint of heart. But if you want to face your fears and enter that end-of-year meeting with your head held high and tons of confidence, I have the antidote you need right here.
If you follow these four strategic moves, you’ll blow your boss away. Or at least make them stand back and take notice of your exceptional skills. So, are you ready to embark on this adventure? Ok. Grab your coffee and get ready to wow the judges at your performance review this year.
Move #1: Find Ways To Make An Impression Now
Before you bookmark this article and save it for December, here’s my first tip: Don’t wait until the last minute to make a lasting impression. Too many employees mark their calendars and try to calm their nerves until the annual performance review arrives. But this logic is nonsensical, because it’s impossible to impress someone if they barely know your name. Your boss needs time to see your talent and leadership throughout the year. And this requires an active presence.
Think of it this way. How many of you can quote your favorite lines from Friends, Downton Abbey, or Suits? Why is that? Well, the main reason is because of exposure. The more you see something day in and day out, the more you can recognize it right away without having to second-guess your senses. In fact, here’s a quick example to prove my point. Imagine being in a completely dark room, and I said the words, “Legend-wait-for-it-dary”. What’s the first thing that comes to your mind? Well, if you’ve seen endless episodes of How I Met Your Mother like I have, you would probably have a vivid picture of Barney Stinson. There’s a physiological explanation for that: It’s called the mere exposure effect.
Science proves that most people tend to have a preference towards things that feel familiar. That’s why if you want to become memorable to your boss, then it’s vital to make an effort to be in their field of vision. This way, they can see you at work and understand the impact that you’re making daily for the company.
Move #2: Align Yourself With The Company’s Values
Being a top employee isn’t just about increasing the bottom line; it’s about helping the business move forward in various ways. And that requires you to figure out how to show up and support the causes and initiatives that drive the company’s core values.
For instance, let’s say your boss is super passionate about supporting early education programs or they’re compelled to create environmentally conscious products. Find out why. Take the time to ask around and hear the story that drove them to this mission and conviction. And then, find ways to get involved and invest. This can take the form of serving at a nearby food bank, collecting school supplies, or organizing a beach cleanup for your department.
Showing that you care about people inside and outside the company goes a long way. After all, corporate philanthropy has become a strong pillar in most businesses. And it’s not hard to see why. According to Indeed.com, when companies establish a social mission, connect with surrounding communities, and expand their impact, employees benefit. In fact, they may feel more engaged, satisfied, and less likely to quit.
Supporting your company’s philanthropic endeavors shows that you lead with ambition and compassion. And both of those traits set you apart as a well-rounded employee who leads with humility and consideration.
Move #3: Learn From Mistakes And Build Resilience
No one is perfect. I know this statement is elementary, but hear me out. All of us tend to freeze up and freak out when we don’t have a guarantee of success. Just think back to your first high school dance. Did you ask the person whom you thought would reject you, or did you go with the safer choice? It’s human nature to be a self-preservationist. But there’s a massive difference between being cautious and being impeded by fear.
Regardless of your profession, everyone will come across questions that puzzle them and problems that don’t have simple solutions. So, the first step to failing forward is accepting this fact of nature. Mistakes will happen, you’ll mess up, and your boss might hem and haw a bit before reality sets back in and they give you some grace. The point is that the best employees and the most memorable are the ones who bounce back from their falls and find ways to charge ahead. In fact, according to McKinsey & Company, leaders and organizations, just like world-class athletes, need to be both resilient and adaptable to achieve growth, innovation, and organizational health. So, in essence, the ability to learn from your mistakes and build resilience in the process is the ultimate superpower in the workplace.
Move #4: Be The Biggest Cheerleader For Your Team
And now we come to the last strategic move, the one that might make you scratch your head a bit and ask why this is even on the list. Well, you didn’t get to where you are today by hibernating in your office and pulling yourself up from your bootstraps. People along the way supported you, cheered you on, and even reached out to their network to help you attain your professional goals.
Now, don’t get me wrong. You worked hard. And you received recognition because of your effort and input. But think of business like a basketball team. Whether you’re on the sidelines or on the court, you still have the same goal, and that’s to win. That’s why it’s crucial to support one another. Because your team will help you go further than you ever could on your own, it’s like the infamous African proverb, “If you want to go fast, go alone; but if you want to go far, go together.” You’ll go far when you work together. So, cheer loudly for your entire team.
You’re All Set And Ready To Go
Performance reviews make everyone nervous, but after reading this article, I hope you have more peace of mind and confidence this year because you’ve got this! All you have to do is find ways to implement these strategies. So, blast that Spotify 90s playlist, grab that matcha latte, and get ready to wow your boss.