RoyGroundUp

PERFORMANCE REVIEW PHRASES

Learning and professional development performance review phrases

Learning and professional development: Seeks feedback, builds new skills and applies them.

Growth phrases should show the skill, the effort and the result. "Is keen to learn" is not enough; "learned X and used it on Y" is.

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

Strengths: exceeds expectations

  • [Name] actively asks for feedback and acts on it quickly. The change in their [skill] since [time] is clear.
  • [Name] learned [skill] this period and has already used it on [example].
  • [Name] shares what they learn with the team, which has raised everyone’s level.
  • [Name] treats mistakes as learning and talks about them openly, which encourages others to do the same.
  • [Name] takes on unfamiliar work to grow, and asks for help in the right places.
  • [Name] has outgrown their current role in [area] and is ready for more responsibility.

Solid: meets expectations

  • [Name] completes the training expected and applies it to their work.
  • [Name] is open to feedback when it is given; asking for it would speed up their growth.
  • [Name] is developing steadily in [skill].
  • [Name] has a clear idea of the skills they want to build next.
  • [Name] learns quickly once they are shown how.

Needs improvement

  • [Name] has not yet acted on the feedback about [skill] from our last review. I would like a plan for it by [date].
  • [Name] can be defensive when receiving feedback. Listening first and asking questions will help them get more from it.
  • [Name] has not set any development goals. We will agree one or two this month.
  • [Name] tends to stay with familiar work. I would like them to take on one new kind of task this period.
  • Training completed this period has not yet shown up in [Name]’s work. We will pick one thing to apply.
  • [Name] repeats similar mistakes. Writing down what was learned after each one will help.

Self-review phrases for learning and professional development

  • I learned [skill] and used it to [result].
  • I asked for feedback from [people] and changed [behaviour] as a result.
  • Next period I want to develop [skill] so I can take on [responsibility].

How to make these phrases land

  • Show the change over time. A before-and-after is the clearest evidence of growth.
  • 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.

FREE TOOL

Turn these phrases into a finished review

Rate each competency in the free review builder and it suggests phrases for that rating, then gives you a clean review to copy, print or save as a PDF.

Open the review builder

Phrases for other competencies

Related