My Experiences with Performance Evaluations: A Journey of Lessons Learned
From Reactive to Proactive: Lessons Learned in Performance Evaluations Across Three Companies
Throughout my career, I've undergone performance evaluations at three distinct companies, each offering unique insights into the process:
The Startup: Marked by an informal, trust-based relationship with my tech lead, this evaluation was stress-free and positive, resulting in a lasting friendship.
The Medium-Sized Company: This experience was more confusing, with a new VP of Engineering leading the evaluation. Despite a positive outcome and a raise, the interaction remained formal, lacking mutual trust, and I soon left the company.
The Multinational Corporation: This was the most challenging experience, with a strained relationship with my tech lead hindering communication. Despite having performance goals in the system, the evaluation felt subjective and did not acknowledge my contributions.
Reading "The Software Engineer's Guidebook" by Gergely Orosz was a turning point. It shifted my approach from reactive to proactive, emphasizing:
Proactive Goal Setting: Understanding the most impactful tasks for the team and organization.
Seeking Advice: Learning from experienced colleagues about factors influencing evaluations.
Clear Communication: Discussing and agreeing on goals with my manager.
Regular Updates: Sharing progress and seeking feedback.
Helping Others: Contributing to the team's success.
Managing Expectations: Grounding myself in the reality that most evaluations result in average ratings.
Focusing on Growth: Prioritizing personal development over comparison with peers.
The Long-Term Perspective: Recognizing that individual evaluations are a small part of a long career journey.
The third experience highlighted a common issue: despite having set performance goals, the evaluation ultimately hinged on the manager's subjective judgment. This reinforced the importance of proactively managing expectations and focusing on personal growth rather than solely on comparative performance.
While performance evaluations are undoubtedly important, they should not be overly stressed over. By adopting a proactive approach, focusing on growth, and maintaining a long-term perspective, we can navigate these processes more effectively and ensure they contribute to our overall career development.