Waiting for appraisal? – Many professionals do – to guide their growth, gain feedback, or signal the next move. Yet appraisals often fail to reveal where one truly stands. More often, they reinforce decisions already made.
The Disconnect: Formal appraisal vs. Real growth
William sat in his boss’s cabin for appraisal discussion. A familiar ritual. Ratings first, then a brief mention of growth areas. He expected a deeper conversation about his future. He came out disappointed. Instead, he heard the usual: “You’re doing well. Do a certification. Start using AI.”
He reached out to a senior colleague for help and clarity. “Appraisals don’t add any real value. I still don’t know where I stand,” he admitted.
His colleague offered a sharper lens: “What you need are real indicators of progress. Appraisals alone won’t give you that.”
William realized growth required a different set of measures. He explored both internal and external indicators.
Internal indicators: His knowledge, skills, confidence and new challenges he had solved.
External indicators: feedback he actively sought from stakeholders and the projects he was trusted to lead.
Through this lens, he saw his potential, but opportunities were limited, and the next appraisal would reflect the same. So he made a choice — he moved to a team that offered growth, learning, and real opportunities.
It is futile waiting for your next appraisal. Appraisals can become procedural drills, forcing ratings into fixed buckets. Chasing the next score may be futile if tangible growth is missing. True professional progress isn’t captured in a bell curve. It shows up in solid contributions, stakeholder engagement, and meaningful opportunities.
For your reflection
- What would you discover if you looked beyond the appraisal cycle?
- What internal and external indicators will give you clarity on where you truly stand?
“Evaluation of performance, merit rating, or annual review…The idea of a merit rating is alluring…The effect is exactly the opposite of what the words promise.” – Edward Deming