During the past two weeks I got three calls from potential clients. When I asked them the reason for their contacting me they all said that they just had been given their Annual Performance Review and that they were rated overall as “Needing Improvement.” They wanted to know if I could help them recover from this setback.
Of course, during the initial meeting with each I realized that their situations were unique in their own ways. But, what was surprising to me was that none them had realized the gravity of what they were facing. The reason for this blog: If you get an overall performance rating that says, Needs Improvement (a “2/5,” with “5” being Exceptional), consider yourself “fired” for lack of performance, right when you get such a review. Your actual termination date can vary between one to three months from that day. This may seem as a harsh assessment of an otherwise repairable situation, but having worked with many clients who have suffered this wrath I know too well what such a rating means on anyone’s performance review.
So, for anyone getting such a rating, here is my guidance:
- Performance review sessions can be an emotional experience, especially when you’re suddenly blindsided with a poor rating. If you have been previously getting a “3” or better and suddenly you see yourself staring at a “2,” without any prior knowledge about it, then you have been blindsided. If this happens keep your emotional reaction in check as a first response to such a possibility.
- Calmly ask your manager the specifics of what caused this rating and try having a rational conversional with them. This is perhaps the most difficult thing to manage: The manager will most likely be evasive and perfunctory in such a situation, and you are most likely to be defensive and in denial over what just happened; a deadly combination for a meaningful dialog.
- If you feel unable to control your emotions at that moment, it is best to ask for a follow-up meeting when you have had time to be better prepared to have this discussion.
- Assume that performance ratings, once formalized, cannot be changed by appeal. So, do not spend too much time building a case against that rating by showing “evidence” of good performance. In such cases it is never what you did or did not do, but it is what those in power perceived. So, just accept this reality!
- If your manager says that you can look around for other opportunities and that they would be happy to consider your transfer to other departments within the company do not believe that this is possible. Once you have received such a review you’ll be seen as “damaged goods” by others within your company, regardless of how arbitrary your review was. So, just accept that you have very few—or no—options at your own company.
- Rather than asking for a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) carefully look at your options for getting out of the job and your company. One of the most counterproductive and insidious things you can do is to “team-up” with your manager to set up a PIP and then work hard to meet the seemingly impossible objectives (they will be set up that way!). Use that energy to find yourself a new job while you still have time before you are terminated, instead.
- Always keep your LinkedIn Profile and network up-to-date. Build a great portfolio of Recommendations on your Profile by contacting those who loved your work. Keep doing this on an ongoing basis, not just when you are in trouble.
- Do not waste too much time with HR trying to make a case dealing with your review. Many HR people will fool you to believe that they are there to help you and are on your side; they are NOT. They are there to protect the company’s legal position.
- Regardless of how badly you have been treated, despite your heroic contributions to your company in the past, always act with dignity and class. If you need a recent example of this just look at what happened to Payton Manning, the four-time MVP Quarterback of the Indiana Colts. His awesome performance for nearly 15 years that he played for the Colts catapulted the team from obscurity to stardom. Yet, when he was injured the management thought it best to relieve him. Despite that, how Manning departed from the team with class made him a true hero!
- Do not brood over what happened and waste your energy personalizing your situation. Look forward to a better tomorrow and move on!
Good luck!