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PERFORMANCE REVIEW PHRASES

Attitude and values performance review phrases

Attitude and values: Acts in line with how the team agreed to work.

Attitude comments are the riskiest to write because they can sound personal. Describe behaviour you saw, not personality, and link it to its effect on the team.

Replace [Name] and [example] with the person and a real piece of work.

Strengths: exceeds expectations

  • [Name] stays positive and constructive under pressure, which steadies the team when things get hard.
  • [Name] is open to new ideas and changes, and helps others adapt to them.
  • [Name] treats everyone with respect, whatever their role, and people notice.
  • [Name] lives our value of [value]: [example].
  • [Name] gives honest views with care, and supports the decision once it is made.
  • [Name]’s enthusiasm for [area] is infectious and has lifted the team.

Solid: meets expectations

  • [Name] has a professional, positive approach to their work.
  • [Name] adapts to change; voicing concerns earlier would help us address them.
  • [Name] is respectful and works in line with our values.
  • [Name] brings a steady, calm approach to the team.
  • [Name] is willing to help when asked.

Needs improvement

  • In [meeting], [Name]’s comments about [topic] came across as dismissive, and others stopped contributing. I would like disagreement to be about the idea, not the person.
  • [Name] has been openly negative about [change] in front of the team. Raising concerns with me directly will get them addressed.
  • Several colleagues have mentioned [behaviour]. I want to understand what is behind it and agree what changes.
  • [Name] resists feedback in reviews. Listening first and asking questions will help.
  • [Name] sometimes complains about problems without suggesting improvements. I would like one suggestion with each concern.
  • [Name] has not been following [agreed way of working], which affects the team. This needs to change by [date].

Self-review phrases for attitude and values

  • I helped the team through [change] by [behaviour].
  • I have worked on staying calm under pressure, especially during [example].
  • I want to get better at raising concerns constructively and early.

How to make these phrases land

  • Never write "bad attitude". Write what they did, when, and what effect it had. That is fair, and it is something they can change.
  • Use one phrase per point and follow it with what happened. A phrase without an example reads like a template.
  • For areas to improve, say what good looks like and what support you will give.
  • Nothing in a review should be a surprise. Raise problems in one-on-ones during the year.

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