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PERFORMANCE REVIEW PHRASES

Communication performance review phrases

Communication: Clear, timely updates in writing and in person, pitched for the audience.

Communication comments are where reviews most often go vague ("great communicator"). The phrases below name the behaviour, so the person knows exactly what to keep doing or change.

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

Strengths: exceeds expectations

  • [Name] writes updates that people can act on without a follow-up question. The [example] summary was shared widely because it was so clear.
  • [Name] adjusts how they explain things to the audience: detailed for the team, short and outcome-first for senior stakeholders.
  • [Name] raises bad news early and plainly, which gave us time to fix [example] before it reached the customer.
  • [Name] listens before replying. In disagreements they repeat the other view back accurately, which calms the room and speeds up decisions.
  • [Name]’s meeting notes and decisions log mean nobody has to ask "what did we agree?"
  • When [Name] presents, they lead with the point and the ask, then the detail. Stakeholders regularly ask for them by name.

Solid: meets expectations

  • [Name] keeps the team informed about their work and responds to messages within a reasonable time.
  • [Name] communicates clearly one-to-one; the next step is bringing the same clarity to larger meetings.
  • [Name]’s written updates are accurate. Leading with the headline before the detail would make them faster to read.
  • [Name] asks good questions when something is unclear rather than guessing.
  • [Name] shares information openly and is easy to reach.

Needs improvement

  • Updates on [example] arrived late, so others found out about the delay from the customer. Flagging risks as soon as they appear is the priority for next period.
  • [Name]’s messages are often long, and the key ask gets lost. We will practise putting the request in the first line.
  • In meetings [Name] sometimes talks over colleagues. I would like them to let others finish and check understanding before responding.
  • [Name] tends to go quiet when work is off track. I would rather hear about a problem early, even without a solution yet.
  • Written work for senior stakeholders needs to be shorter and outcome-first. We will review two drafts together this quarter.
  • [Name] sometimes agrees in the meeting and raises objections afterwards. I want those concerns raised in the room, where they can change the decision.

Self-review phrases for communication

  • I improved how I share progress by sending a short weekly update on [project], which cut status questions noticeably.
  • I want to get better at presenting to senior stakeholders, especially leading with the decision I need.
  • I learned to raise risks earlier after [example], and I now flag them as soon as I see them.

How to make these phrases land

  • Quote a real message, meeting or document. "Clear communicator" means nothing; "the [example] update needed no follow-up questions" means a lot.
  • 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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