Performance Review Workshop for Managers
Review Season Is Coming. Are Your Managers Ready?
Conducting Effective Performance Reviews: a live workshop for managers
One practical session that helps managers write clear reviews, rate consistently and lead conversations that move people forward.
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The challenge
Your managers want help now, not next year
Training usually gets pushed to “next year.” But your managers are writing reviews this season, and you'll live with the results all year. You know which ones will write vague reviews, inflate ratings or put off the hard conversations. Your team could build training to fix that, but right now they're busy running the review cycle.
You don't have to wait. The workshop is ready to go, so your managers go into review season prepared and your team can keep its focus on the cycle. That means fewer reviews sent back for rewrites, fewer rating disputes in calibration and fewer conversations that turn into employee relations issues.
What your managers will be able to do
- Apply shared performance standards.
- Make consistent, well-supported rating decisions.
- Write clear, specific performance reviews.
- Lead productive performance conversations.
- Navigate your review process and timeline.
The workshop experience
Managers practice the hard parts before the real thing
This is a working session, not a lecture. Managers spend much of the time practicing, using realistic examples and scenarios.
What managers do during the session
- Reflect and share. Short prompts in the chat get managers thinking about what a good review cycle would mean for their team.
- Sort real-world examples. Managers look at examples of on-the-job performance and decide which performance expectations they connect to.
- Make rating calls in small groups. Breakout groups work through scenarios, choose a rating and explain their reasoning. Then we compare notes as a full group.
- Rewrite vague feedback. Managers take general comments and rework them into specific, evidence-based feedback using a simple writing formula.
- Practice the conversation. In pairs or small groups, managers take turns in the manager role with realistic scenarios, while an observer watches for what's working.
- Bring their questions. We close with time for questions and next steps.
Before the session: we have a brief discussion with your HR team to understand your organization's review process. During the training, we review your process and timeline. We use your company's evaluation criteria, definitions and ratings to help build your managers' performance review skills.
After the session: managers leave with resources they can use while they write and prepare.
Job aids: Manager job aids for selecting ratings, writing reviews, and holding review conversations.
Format and investment
Every workshop is customized to your review forms, rating scale and company context.
Most workshops are scheduled 2–3 weeks out. Reach out now to prepare your managers before your cycle starts.
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About us
Who's behind the workshop
Caldwell Allen Consulting is a leadership and organizational performance advisory firm, founded in 2018. We help organizations create the conditions for leaders and teams to succeed, including the performance practices managers rely on.
The firm is led by Quionna Allen, Principal Consultant, who brings more than 25 years of experience in human resources, organizational effectiveness, leadership development and consulting. She holds an M.S. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology and is a Certified Professional Coach. Quionna leads every engagement and works with a small team of experienced facilitators who guide your managers through each session.
This workshop focuses on preparing managers for the review cycle you already have. If you're also thinking about broader changes to your performance process, we can talk about that separately.
“When performance management is done well, leaders and employees are on the same page. Employees hear what's going well, know where to grow, and leave with a clear path to make next year even better.”— Quionna Allen, Principal Consultant, Caldwell Allen Consulting
FAQs
Common questions
Who is this workshop for?
People managers who are getting ready to write reviews and hold review conversations. It works well for organizations heading into a review cycle that want managers to approach it in a more consistent way, and it's a fit for both experienced and first-time managers.
Is this a review of our performance management process?
No. This is training for managers on writing reviews, applying ratings and leading the conversation. Before the session, we have a brief discussion with your HR team so we understand your review process. If you want help rethinking the process itself, that's a separate conversation.
Will the workshop use our forms and rating scale?
Yes. We build the practice around your own forms and rating scale.
What if we have more than 25 managers?
The starting price covers up to 25 managers. We can accommodate larger groups with additional seats or a second session. We'll talk through the best option for your team.
Can you deliver it in person?
The workshop is designed as a live, interactive virtual session over Zoom. In-person delivery is available. Travel is billed in addition to the training fee.
How far ahead should we schedule?
We typically need 2–3 weeks to prepare, depending on how much customization you need.
Do you offer training for employees, too?
Yes. We also offer a session that helps employees prepare for their review conversation: reflecting on their results with evidence, receiving feedback openly, and owning their growth.