Appraisal skills for Leaders

Appraisals the DDR way

The overall aim of an appraisal is to set (and then achieve) mutually beneficial SMART objectives that drive the individual forward within the context of the business and environment that they are working in.

In order to do this there are a number of things we need to 'get right' from creating the right environment to having the right people and importantly having the right conversations.

This workshop will look to help you to build the necessary skills to have effective, meaningful conversations with your people supported by useful tools and processes.

During the workshop you will be introduced to the appraisal conversation beyond the form and learn more about how this fits in with the 9 box performance grid, your company pay scale and your businesses values, gaining a greater understanding of how to communicate this to your teams and how to use these tools to help people drive their career.

We will also look at preparing for the appraisal, including gathering information and evidence and importantly how to give quality feedback utilising a combination of feedback models. We will have the opportunity to practice and refine these skills throughout the workshop using examples and scenarios.

This will all culminate in the setting of effective SMART targets that maintain high standards and drive people forward through their careers.

This will be an interactive opportunity to sharing best practice, bringing a consistency and value driven approach to appraisals, giving you the opportunity to learn or refresh the essential skills to build successful teams, driving an aspirational performance culture.  


Participants will develop the following competencies:

  • Promote the benefits of your people developing their knowledge, skills and behaviours

  • Collecting relevant performance and behavioural information and turn this in to meaningful feedback

  • How to ask insightful questions, along with how and where to probe for information and an understanding of your people

  • Agreeing scoring for previous performance with your people, ensuring a balanced, objective outcome

  • How to set meaningful SMART objectives that will drive performance, growth and intrinsic fulfilment with and for your people, team and business

Who Should Attend?

  • Team Leaders and other Appraising Managers

  • Department Managers

  • Future leaders and others assisting with appraisals

Program Objectives

  • Up-skill and refresh new and existing leaders in appraisal processes and best practice

  • Understand what your company is offering to employees beyond the salary and how to sell these opportunities to your people

  • Learn how to use effective open questions to get the best from your people

  • Learn how improving your appraisal skills will improve business performance

  • Gain the necessary skills to develop, train and motivate staff

  • Use appropriate scoring alongside your own personal judgement on both current performance and future opportunities

If you’re looking to book multiple learners or would like to speak about a bespoke course then please click ‘Contact us’

What do our clients think?

Have a look at our testimonials page to see what our clients think to workshops, courses and programmes with Discover Develop Retain Learning