Drive by Friday

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Drive by Friday –

What if your next performance review wasn’t about the past at all — but about the future you want to create? Love them or dread them, they’re a fact of working life. But here’s the thing — they don’t have to feel like a trip to the dentist.

When done right, they can actually boost morale, build trust, and even help uncover opportunities you didn’t know were there.

Why They’re Worth the Effort:

They give employees clarity about what’s working (and what’s not)
They give leaders a chance to actually say thank you (more powerful than you’d think)
They create a space for two-way conversations — not just a manager monologue

Where They Go Wrong:

Saving feedback for once a year — no one likes surprise critiques six months later
Overloading on negatives instead of recognising wins
Treating the process like paperwork instead of a chance to connect

How to Make Them Better (and Less Painful):

Keep them regular and bite-sized — little chats beat one big scary review

Be specific — “great job” is nice, but “your customer handover process improved retention by 15%” is better
Look forward, not just backward — performance reviews should point to growth, not just replay old mistakes

What Do You Want to Achieve?

If you’re heading into a review — whether you’re giving or receiving one — ask yourself this: what do I want to walk away with? Is it clarity? recognition? a roadmap for growth?

Reviews are a chance to reset, realign, and recharge. Go in with the outcome you want in mind, and you’ll make the conversation far more productive (and a lot less painful).

Here are some key topics you could run through:

- Job performance overview

- Goal achievement

- Skills and competencies

- Behaviour and work ethic

- Strengths and areas for improvement

- Career growth and development

- Feedback and communication

Final Thought

Performance reviews aren’t about catching people out — they’re about building people up. If you approach them with curiosity, kindness, and a bit of humour, you’ll walk away with a stronger team (and fewer groans when that calendar invite pops up for the next review).

👉 And remember, feedback is like Wi-Fi… it only works if it’s strong and consistent.

Tip … Review Location

Always make sure the space is private, comfortable, and free from interruptions, and avoid places with lots of foot traffic or noise. Even small details — like a quiet room with natural light — can help the conversation flow better. Be on time and committed to the process.