Performance reviews: 20 questions for evaluating intangibles






2.    Are the employee’s goals in tune with company needs?   


4.    Does the employee typically achieve expected results?








10.     Does the employee learn from experience?   






14.     Does the employee anticipate what has to be done?   


16.     Has the employee made original suggestions to improve operations?   


17.     Does the employee explain rather than command?  

18.     Do people listen closely when the employee speaks?   


20.     Does he or she deal smoothly with unexpected developments?


Match traits to the job

One key to assessing an employee’s intangibles is to ask which traits are vital for each job. Cooperativeness may be critical for a staffer working on a team, but not for a security guard working the night shift. Initiative would be key for a product development manager, but less so for a payroll clerk.

Before performing an employee’s review, supervisors should critically review the intangible factors included in the person’s performance standards. They should be able to comfortably answer the question: “Why is this employee rated on this measure?”

Remember, every performance measure should be rooted in a concrete operational goal.