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Help managers write fair, specific performance notes
Give managers a quick way to turn vague comments into specific, balanced performance notes before reviews and one-to-ones.
When to use it
Before appraisal season or a performance conversation
Step by step
Share a short guide with managers
Write or ask for a one-page guide on what good performance notes look like: specific examples, the impact, and what good looks like next time.
Give managers a prompt to rewrite their notes
Share this prompt with managers so they can improve their own draft notes, with names removed.
Prompt to copyI'm a manager preparing performance notes. Here is my rough draft, with names removed: [paste draft]. Rewrite it so that each point: describes a specific example (what happened and when), explains the impact on the team or customers, and says clearly what good looks like going forward. Remove labels about personality, vague words like 'attitude', and anything about health, family or personal life. Keep a balance of strengths and areas to develop. Then list any claims that need an example I haven't given.Review a sample before reviews go out
Look at a few rewritten notes yourself to check they match your policy and rating scale, and give managers feedback early.
What you get
Before: 'Needs a better attitude in meetings.' After: 'In the March and April planning meetings, Sam interrupted colleagues several times, which meant two people didn't share their updates. Going forward, let each person finish before responding.'
Tips
- The manager still owns the judgement. AI can sharpen the wording, but it doesn't know what happened.
- Remind managers to use only AI tools your organisation allows for staff information.