How to Do a Superior Performance Appraisal [Paperback]

William S. Swan PhD (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 16, 1991

The complete guide to painless, mutually profitable performance appraisals. How to do a Superior Performance Appraisal For anybody who equates doing a performance appraisal with a dental appointment, here's a complete guide to painless, mutually profitable appraisals. Written by bestselling management author and Fortune 1000 consultant William S. Swan, it shows you how to transform what traditionally has been a source of potential conflict among managers and staff members, into a productive and mutually profitable process for both employer and employee.
* A systematic, step-by-step guide to conducting appraisals that reduces defensiveness and conflict while increasing quality and productivity
* All the nuts and bolts of doing an appraisal: data collecting, avoiding errors, knowing EEO guidelines, and much more
* Packed with useful checklists, information sheets,and sample dialogues, including a model performance appraisal form incorporating what has been proven to be the most powerful approach
* Throughout, the emphasis is on performance management vs. simplistic "report-card" type systems

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

William S. Swan, PhD, is President of Swan Consultants, Inc., a management consulting firm specializing in personnel selection and performance management, based in New York City. He is also author of the highly regarded Swan's How to Pick the Right People Program.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (January 16, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471514683
• ISBN-13: 978-0471514688
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.5 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #187,377 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

43 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Swan's Book will Strengthen Your Leadership Skills, January 11, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: How to Do a Superior Performance Appraisal (Paperback)

BEFORE READING THE BOOK: I have been conducting employee reviews for seven years, but I never felt I was doing a good job. I always became uncomfortable with writing and holding the review with my employees. I felt confused and inadequate (as a leader) trying to grow and develop my employees.

AFTER READING THE BOOK: I learned so many of the things I was doing wrong (which are the same things almost all leaders do wrong in writing and giving employee evaluations). I took Swan's eight steps of the performance appraisal to heart, and incorporated them into my own management style. Swan explains how the performance appraisal is a yearlong process of coaching and giving feed back to your employees. I learned how to write more effective, specific, and measurable performance objectives (in order to grow and improve my emloyee's performance). I learned how to observe and journal the good and poor behavior of my employees, so that I could give specific examples during the appraisal of what they were doing well, and what areas they need to work on. I learned how to write a more objective narrative on my employee's ability to meet the company's performance factors. Everything I learned was applicable and easy to implement!

In short, I learned everything I needed to know to provide my employees with a more effective review...which includes yearlong feedback and coaching, so that they can grow and develop in their positions.

The result? I have gained more confidence as a leader; I have formed better relationships and a closer bond with my employees; I have learned to write better reviews; and the most important result is that my employees have come to me and have thanked me for my interest to improve their performance. They are grateful for my help in growing their careers, as well as their growth as individuals. I couldn't be more pleased! I feel that I am truly beginning to function as a leader!

Oh, and more good news...the book is easy to read and understand!

I hope that all managers will read this book and implement the 8 steps. :)