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 make well-supported rating decisions, lead productive performance conversations and write clear, specific reviews.
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The challenge
Review season is approaching. Are your managers prepared?
Your team is preparing to launch the review cycle. But having the process in place doesn't tell you how prepared managers are to apply ratings consistently, lead difficult conversations or write specific feedback. Building training takes time your HR team may not have this season.
This workshop gives managers time to practice those skills using your organization's criteria, rating scale and review process, so they can approach reviews with greater clarity and confidence.
What your managers will be able to do
- Navigate your review process and timeline.
- Apply shared performance standards.
- Make consistent, well-supported rating decisions.
- Lead productive performance conversations.
- Write clear, specific performance reviews.
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
- 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 job aids they can use to select ratings, prepare for review conversations and write clear, specific feedback.
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 to discuss timing for your review cycle.
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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 helps managers put your existing review process into practice, using your forms, performance criteria and rating scale.
“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?
First-time and experienced people managers preparing to assess performance, make rating decisions, lead review conversations and write reviews. The workshop helps managers apply your organization's review process more consistently.
Does this workshop include an assessment of our performance management process?
The workshop focuses on helping managers apply your existing process: making well-supported rating decisions, leading productive review conversations and writing clear, specific reviews. Before the session, we meet briefly with your HR team to understand your process and tailor the training. Assessing or redesigning the process is a separate engagement.
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 or arrange multiple sessions based on your team's time zones and the time needed for group discussion and debriefs. We'll talk through the best option for your organization.
Can you deliver it in person?
Yes. The workshop is available live over Zoom or in person. Travel expenses for in-person delivery are billed separately from the training fee.
How far ahead should we schedule?
We typically need 2–3 weeks to prepare, depending on the customization needed. Contact us to discuss your review timeline and available dates.
Do you offer training for employees, too?
Yes. We also offer a session that helps employees prepare for their review conversation: reflecting on their contributions with specific examples, discussing feedback and identifying priorities for their development.