Performance Evaluations and Meetings Best Practices and Benefits for You Presenter: Patty Hladio, Retired Director of Financial Aid SRU

Whether you are officially “in charge” or in a “participant/co-worker” role, below are 2 activities that you can use to help shape your professional career: 0 Meetings 0 Performance Evaluations

PERFORMANCE EVALUATIONS Valuable for Both Your Employer and YOU Ideally, Performance Evaluations Should Be: 0 Regularly Scheduled 0 Positive 0 Clear 0 Collaborative 0 Springboards to Success

Core Concepts for Conducting Effective Performance Evaluations 0 CONDUCT EVAULATIONS ANNUALLY 0 This is your tool to help employees reach peak performance and to correct less-than-beneficial behaviors 0 Annual evaluations are the foundation for follow-up discussions throughout the year 0 These evaluations can protect you when employees are not promoted or don’t receive merit raises 0 REFER TO DOCUMENTED NOTES 0 Don’t rely on memory; Keep notes throughout the year of contributions and also challenges of all employees 0 Perhaps create e-files or paper files, or notes on your private calendar

More Core Concepts for Conducting Effective Performance Evaluations 0 USE LANGUAGE and RATINGS THAT ARE CLEAR, HONEST, and MEASURABLE 0 Contact your HR Office for guidance and training (you can also tap into guidance on the web) 0 ADDRESS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT 0 Discuss the employee’s professional goals 0 Invite suggestions and make recommendations for additional training

Getting the Most Out of YOUR Performance Evaluation Insist on an Annual Evaluation, even if your supervisor doesn’t want to take the time to conduct one. This is your chance to show how valuable you are to your school. Make notes throughout the year of how you contributed to the success of the office; use numbers and examples. Also think about your work challenges and suggest ways to overcome those. Be prepared to discuss your professional development plans. What training or resources could make you better at your job? What opportunities are available to you in the future? Ask questions. If your boss is generic in your praise or criticism, ask for examples….. What stands out? What can you do better, specifically.

Effective Performance Evaluations, Your Office and Your Career 0 Each school is different, so understand how the system work at yours; what role do performance evaluations play in raises? …. In promotions? Who rates you? When? 0 Don’t be defensive; accept constructive criticism; understand your boss’s point of view; but at the same time, stand up for yourself 0 If your boss was helpful during the year, let her/him know; be genuine 0 Remember to follow up regularly throughout the year

MEETINGS Routine Complaints We Hear About Meetings 0 Boring 0 Unproductive 0 Waste of Time 0 No Direction

Core Concepts for Leading a Productive Meeting 0 HAVE A PURPOSE for the meeting 0 Always have an agenda, and if possible, share it in advance of the meeting 0 SHOW RESPECT for all meeting participants 0 Everyone’s time is valuable, so start the meeting on time; and end it on time (or early!) 0 Don’t repeat information for those who show up late 0 Remind all to focus on the meeting content; no texting or other work during the meeting

More Core Concepts for Leading a Productive Meeting. 0 OWN the meeting 0 Don’t let anyone hijack your meeting’s agenda 0 Re-direct participants to conduct non-agenda discussions to a different time/place 0 Interrupt those who continue to repeat themselves & their thoughts 0 SUMMARIZE the results of the meeting 0 Provide participants with discussion notes and action items 0 IF a future meeting is scheduled, include the date/time in the meeting notes.

Getting the Most Out of a Meeting You are Not Leading SHOW UP ON TIME (or early if you have non-meeting items to address with other participants) ARRIVE PREPARED Know the topic, and review the agenda in advance. Understand how your expertise can contribute to the purpose of the meeting TAKE NOTES Bring your notes from prior meetings, if applicable, & create your own action items to work on after the meeting HELP If appropriate, HELP the meeting leaders and other participants STAY FOCUSED on the agenda.

Effective Meetings, Your Office and Your Career 0 Regularly scheduled, efficient office meetings are critical for office success 0 Frequency is unique to each office 0 Important for training, ensuring all are on the same page, and to address timely issues 0 Include all office members; may need to negotiate a time to close the office or to find alternative office coverage 0 Volunteer to serve on campus-wide and PASFAA committees. Seek out opportunities 0 This is great for networking and to learn more about higher education and PASFAA 0 Be a valuable meeting participant

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