Let's Talk About The Future of Performance Evaluation

Performance evaluation has been a topic of discussion for many years now. Fast forward to the year 2021, a good number of companies are now working remotely. Not to forget, workforces across India have also increased the adoption of automated tools for engaged and productive employees. One thing is sure, this global pandemic has taught us that we are not just resilient but also capable of delivering various roles from anywhere. 

It has been more than a year since we witnessed a sudden shift in human behavior. People were forced to embrace new ways of living, working, collaborating, and delivering in the backdrop of the pandemic. As the vaccine roll-out strategy acquires momentum, companies are taking the stance of a people-first strategy by not bringing the workforce back in a hurry. 

It is no news that the coronavirus pandemic has completely changed the lens through which we viewed the world. In no time, we saw the future of work in front of us along with several unprecedented transformations. Not to forget, it has even highlighted the factors such as mental wellbeing, empathy, resilience, and much more. Over the past year, every business out there was operating under so much pressure to stay ahead of the curve by being innovative as well as agile. 

However, we are yet to see a shift in the way employees are evaluated. Studies and researches have stated that more changes and trends will happen in the coming times. In such a scenario, every company needs to answer some serious questions- Are you ready to operate in a hybrid environment where some employees will continue to work from home while others will be at the workplace?  

Are your HRs equipped to embrace this change and remove the bias that may creep into a hybrid model? Let’s face it, performance evaluation will not be as easy as it sounds in the future. Keeping the same thing in mind, companies should be prepared. No one ever thought managing performance can be simplified by software tools such as performance management software. Likewise, performance evaluation can also be made easier. 

Take a look at the top three dimensions of how the future performance evaluation should be evolved for companies to stay ahead of the competition: 

Culture of Trust 

The traditional way of in-person communication and collaboration has become a thing of the past today. Of late, various studies have stated that the productivity of many companies has increased while working from home. In such a scenario, it is crucial for organizations to build a performance evaluation culture on results. That means it is high time for companies to leave behind outdated performance evaluations methods that are usually based on time and initiatives. On the other hand, they should adopt a trust-based culture that will drive loyalty among employees. 

Empathy

It is no news that empathy has become one of the priorities of managers as well as employers to understand their employees’ diverse needs. Moving a traditional workday into blending personal as well as professional requirements needs support from every dimension. Several surveys have shown that mental well-being is the need of the hour, and companies that accept and pay attention to it will stand out to their employees. In essence, every business should understand that this is a testing time for everyone, including employees. If any employee is unable to put his or her best foot forward, HRs and managers should support them in every possible way. 

Collaborative Feedback 

Companies should also shift from the manager-driven performance culture to a team/peer-based feedback system. Most often, the components that define performance are seen through the lens of team members and not managers. So, the ability to thrive in a collaborative environment to deliver work is the secret sauce of the new-age performance culture. It is just like a swarm of bees that require timely collaboration to feed the shared goals as well as objectives. At the same time, the process of feedback and the manager's role should pivot. Managers should start giving feedback through a manager-enabled - peer evaluation process.

Technologies Like HROne to Adopting New Methods: 4 Ways To Easily Measure Performance Virtually

Amid all this chaos, performance management has been a vital topic in the corporate world. With every company been forced into remote working, employers across India have made peace with the fact that managing performance in this new norm needs the right blend of technology. This is the reason why more and more businesses are implementing automated HR and performance management software such as HROne lately. 

All that said, let’s dive into the blog and take a look at four elements that will impact performance management in a virtual work setup: 

Technology 

As mentioned earlier, investment in technology can change the whole game for businesses. When it comes to the performance evaluation process, it includes a host of operations. If done manually, this process can waste a lot of time and energy for HRs and managers, especially while working from home. This is when performance management software comes into the picture. Such systems are designed to help companies to say goodbye to scattered pieces and address the gap between strategy and execution. From setting goals in just a few clicks to tracking the progress in real-time, the right software can simplify the whole process for a company. 

In essence, companies must take a step ahead and embrace automated performance management solutions while working remotely.  

Leadership 

We all know that leaders play a big role in performance management. They are one of the most crucial resources while explaining the behaviors and goals to the rest of the team. Unlike earlier, leaders are now expected to be their best selves. Traditionally, leaders could have an eye on every individual as they worked under the same roof. Unfortunately, things are not the same now. 

In a virtual environment, managers should learn conscious leadership skills. Companies must help leaders to acquire this skill by helping them with several programs. While working remotely, only conscious leadership can help managers to scale business, increase productivity and motivate their employees to flourish along the way. 

In addition to this, when companies focus on upskilling the frontline managers, they can automatically enhance the overall collaboration, efficiently manage the scattered workforce and easily identify symptoms such as isolation, depression, and burnout. 

Purpose 

In times like these, employees should acquire a sense of purpose that can aid them to put in their best efforts. One of the efficient ways to drive a high-performance culture in a virtual environment is by redefining the mission. Every employee should be introduced to a set of guiding principles that state what is expected from them in this testing time. This may sound a bit time-consuming process but if done correctly, it can reap ample benefits to companies. Helping employees to know the purpose of their work can bring out the best in them and slice down the need for micro-management in a virtual work setup. 

Techniques & Methods 

With WFH and the hybrid model becoming the new normal, it is high time for companies to leave the old performance management methods behind. First thing first, performance management should no longer be an annual event that only focuses on results in shorter intervals. Companies, be it small or large, should start conducting regular check-ins using performance management software. Since such systems allow employees to add their achievements, get and give feedback and highlight all of these against their goals, it can make the whole process more efficient. So, new techniques of managing performance should be adopted that ensures that the performance reviews include holistic and essential discussions with greater emphasis on exchanging feedback and coaching to boost productivity. 

Okay, that is it.

These are the top three ways the future performance evaluation should be designed. Practicing the aforementioned steps and relying on the right performance management software can do wonders.

Additionally, we have mentioned the four factors that should be taken into consideration while managing performance in a virtual environment. With so many changes happening around, every business should take performance management seriously and keep the aforementioned points in mind- not just in 2021 but also in the coming years. 

So, what are you waiting for? Take a step ahead and invest in one of the best tools for performance management, HROne and change the way you manage and evaluate performance.