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Decaf for the Soul: Techniques for Effective Employee Performance Reviews
Tim Davis has been hiring and developing comedians for more than twenty years. Comedians are notoriously sensitive to criticism and feelings of rejection. Providing a performance review is not much different than critiquing a performer's act. The method of Socratic questioning, the use of questioning techniques to direct people into rational thinking, is helpful in guiding the employee to acknowledge their weaknesses without hurting their feelings.
This seminar will help people perceive criticism as a ladder to grow as an employee. Our talent level freezes when we give alibis. Only through constructive criticism can we access the apex of our talent. The technique of "not attaching" will be taught. This is a process by which the employee is taught not to attach a "failure" label to themselves but to separate themselves from the criticism.
Key Psychological Techniques
The Psychological Techniques to Overcome Performance Anxiety
- No attaching: Here we explain to the employee that our criticism does not imply that we think they are a failure. On the contrary, we feel that they are capable of achieving greater success. The use of alibis by the employee will inhibit growth and their value to the company. Here the manager will learn how to help the employee accept criticism.
- Intensity of Reaction: As human beings, we react to people, things and situations. On a scale of 1 to 10, a reaction of 1 to 5 intensity is normal. When we have a reaction from 6 to 10, we have triggered our own inadequacies in which we use anger to defend ourselves. We may be right, but we will not be effective.
Performance Review Techniques
Performance Techniques for the Best Possible Presentation
- Learning Styles: There are three distinct learning styles: audio, visual and tactile kinesthetic. We all learn in three styles, but each of us has a preferred style of learning. Comedians such as Lucille Ball, Steve Martin and Richard Pryor performed in all three learning styles, which means they were understood by nearly everyone in the audience. Mangers should learn to coach to all three learning styles.
- Using Hecklers to Your Advantage: The biggest fear that amateur comedians have is being heckled. They take this as a direct criticism of their comedy and themselves. Professional comedians enjoy hecklers because it allows them to demonstrate the depths of their talents. Managers who deal with employees who constantly rely on alibis for their lack of performance will be able to help these employees to be able to take criticism without getting their feelings hurt. The manager will be better equipped to motivate them.
- Individual Exercises: This section will consist of hands on training and role playing for managers in situations dealing with performance reviews. Managers will role play mock performance reviews. Additionally, managers will learn to cope with their own emotions and doubts when communicating with employees.
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