100+ Employee Performance Review Examples & Phrases
100+ Employee Performance Review Examples & Phrases
If you’re seeking a more harmonious and growth-oriented workplace for your team, prioritizing employee performance is a great place to start. Performance reviews are a crucial element in providing constructive feedback for employee success. However, emerging managers and seasoned leaders alike find it challenging to give this type of feedback. It’s common for leaders to struggle with keeping feedback constructive and professional, feeling uncertainty in planning specific points of evaluation, or even lacking inspiration when brainstorming phrases on which to base an evaluation.
To help you navigate these challenges, TrustRadius has compiled a detailed list of phrases organized into several categories to aid your performance review planning and execution. Combined with other helpful tools such as employee performance management software, these suggestions can revolutionize the feedback process and empower both employers and employees.
Performance Review Examples for 2025 & Beyond
This list has been organized into clearly defined categories of specific traits and skills that are commonly addressed in performance reviews. Each category is divided into example phrases that address the strengths and weaknesses of that skill. Following the list, we have included the essentials of performance reviews, some dos and don’ts for evaluation delivery, and additional tools for performance review planning and management.
Looking for specific performance review areas?
- Accountability and Dependability
- Adaptability and Flexibility
- Communication Skills
- Creativity and Innovation
- Cultural Awareness and Inclusion
- Customer Service and Client Retention
- Decision-Making and Problem-Solving
- Interpersonal Skills and Teamwork
- Leadership and Collaboration
- Performance and Quality of Work
- Professional Development and Work Ethic
- Strategic Thinking and Planning
- Technical Skills and Expertise
- Time Management and Productivity
Accountability and Dependability Example Phrases
Building a strong foundation in your team relies on the accountability and dependability of each of its members. When colleagues feel that they can rely on one another, the likelihood of successful teamwork grows. It is important to encourage your employees to hold themselves and others accountable, and to show them how to do so.
Strengths:
- “Your aptitude for analytical thinking helps our team navigate complex situations.”
- “You approach problems with a sense of clarity that lets you assess every option.”
- “Your peers and leaders can rely on you to contribute quality work to group tasks.”
- “You quickly admit to your mistakes and focus on solutions rather than excuses.“
- “Your ability to keep a level head during stressful situations helps you to make sound decisions.“
Weaknesses:
- “While you are a diligent employee, the results of your work are sometimes inconsistent in quality.”
- “While you can easily recognize when an issue arises, it seems like you struggle to formulate and execute solutions.”
- “It appears that you have had difficulty speaking up and asking for help when you need assistance or are falling behind.”
- “When you are working on collaborative projects, it appears you become less dependable than you are with individual work.”
- “You sometimes defer particularly challenging tasks to others within your team and find difficulty in resolving them alone.”
Adaptability and Flexibility Example Phrases
Routine and predictability can often limit openness and problem-solving skills that are so valuable within a team. It is important to encourage and teach flexibility, like being able to adapt to changes and challenges as they arise.
Strengths:
- “Your ability to maintain a high level of productivity under pressure is invaluable to this team.”
- “You skillfully traverse unexpected challenges and readily embrace the changes they bring.”
- “You maintain a positive attitude in the face of change, even if you disagree with it.”
- “When a directional change occurs in the middle of a project, you easily adapt to new expectations set upon you.”
- “Your constructive approach to setbacks helps this team rise to the occasion in difficult situations.”
Weaknesses:
- “It seems that adjustments in the work environment can sometimes feel disruptive for you. Developing proactive strategies to identify priorities or seek input from other team members may help you adapt more confidently to change.”
- “Shifting responsibilities or conditions can be challenging at times. Building a plan to break down tasks and regularly review priorities can help you navigate changes more smoothly.”
- “When plans change unexpectedly, sometimes it can be overwhelming. Finding ways to pause and communicate your concerns early on in change can help maintain your focus and keep collaboration positive during transitions.”
- “I’ve observed moments when you seem reluctant to adopt new approaches. Remaining open to alternative methods or suggestions can maintain a more inclusive atmosphere and ease the team’s workload.”
- “You seem to avoid constructive conversations and react negatively to being offered helpful feedback. Receiving new insights can sometimes feel uncomfortable, but approaching feedback with curiosity and openness can be a valuable growth opportunity.”
Communication Skills Example Phrases
Clear and open communication is helpful during interactions with customers, coworkers, and leaders. Showing your employees ways to communicate more effectively can create a more cohesive work environment.
Strengths:
- “Your active listening skills help you create strong and trusting relationships with your peers.”
- “Your writing is comprehensive and easily understood, which leaves little need for revision.”
- “Your ability to professionally handle confrontational or uncomfortable conversations is highly valued in your team.”
- “You can provide positive, helpful, and constructive feedback to others, improving overall success in your team.”
- “You prioritize your team’s communication, ensuring that important information is up-to-date and easily accessible.”
Weaknesses:
- “I’ve observed that your communication style can come across as distant at times, which strains your work relationships.”
- “When delivering negative feedback to others, your tone can sound harsher than intended, reducing trust and understanding.”
- “While you are eager and well-equipped to share your ideas, pausing to consider other perspectives can enrich discussions and create a more collaborative atmosphere.”
- “Your focus on your interpersonal work relationships is important. However, it is equally important to prioritize strengthening your technical skillset.”
- “There have been times when your responses to important emails and requests have not been prompt and have resulted in a slowdown of team productivity.”
Creativity and Innovation Example Phrases
Though certain rules and processes exist for a reason, encouraging outside-the-box thinking in your employees can have positive effects. New ideas can contribute to improvements that would otherwise never have happened.
Strengths:
- “Your habit of consistently seeking out learning opportunities allows you to be a great innovator.”
- “Your creative thinking often inspires others working with you to approach their work creatively as well.”
- “Ideas you suggest are often outside the box, improving our workplace strategies in new and imaginative ways.”
- “Your ability to break past traditional practices has brought our team to a much higher level of innovation.”
- “You do not shy away when faced with failure, learning from those losses to create future success.”
Weaknesses:
- “You sometimes dismiss the creative potential of your peers in favor of your own ideas. Listening to other perspectives can help you reach goals and expand your skills.”
- “While your technical and practical thinking abilities are consistently good, I would like to see you explore fresh or unconventional solutions to help expand your creative approach and elevate your projects.”
- “Your strict adherence to routine and aversion to change leave little room for innovation in your work.”
- “Though your ideas and solutions are often excellent, I think you can achieve even greater impact if you develop a plan to take them from concept to completion.”
- “Occasionally, you let your creativity take over where a practical approach would be more appropriate.”
Cultural Awareness and Inclusion Example Phrases
An inclusive workplace encourages kindness, openness, and understanding between colleagues. Helping your employees create and maintain awareness of cultural differences and inclusivity practices can make a more cohesive work environment.
Strengths:
- “You consistently seek out ways to increase inclusivity in our organization.”
- “You easily adapt to different ways of thinking and are accepting of cultural differences.”
- “You are intentional about creating space for others of different cultural backgrounds to showcase their talents and expertise.”
- “You educate yourself about other cultures and how cultural differences may impact our workplace and overall strategies.”
- “You avoid assumptions and stereotypes about others and give them a place to be comfortable and be themselves.”
Weaknesses:
- “I’ve noticed there are times when you make assumptions about others that seem to be based on personal biases, and they seem to affect how you interact with others.”
- “Sometimes, it appears that you overlook colleagues who cannot participate in certain activities due to cultural differences.”
- “While you are accepting of people with different perspectives, you deny that more diverse viewpoints may be beneficial to your team.”
- “Occasionally, you may avoid involving team members who might offer differing opinions, which can limit the group’s ability to explore new ideas.”
- “There may be more opportunities for you to be more intentional about creating an inclusive and welcoming environment at our workplace.”
Customer Service and Client Retention Example Phrases
Interactions with customers can be difficult and sometimes overwhelming for both experienced and newer employees. Giving your employees the tools and support they need to have successful customer interactions can ensure healthy and continuous client relationships.
Strengths:
- “Your ability to easily adapt your communication style to different audiences is helpful in customer-facing situations.”
- “You’ve proven successful in providing services to customers that make them likely to return to our organization.”
- “You maintain a level head in heated moments with customers and do not let their negative attitude affect your demeanor.”
- “It is noticeable that you genuinely care about understanding customers’ needs and are willing to do anything you can to assist them.”
- “You ensure customers’ issues are handled and consistently follow up when new information is available.”
- “You skillfully navigate customer requests that we cannot fulfill and instead provide them with satisfactory alternatives.”
Weaknesses:
- “While interacting with customers, it appears that you sometimes visibly disengage and do not actively listen to their concerns.”
- “Occasionally, customers working with you experience longer wait times for assistance than they expect. Prioritizing quicker responses and follow-ups can greatly improve their experience and overall satisfaction.”
- “When customers sense limited empathy or investment, they may look for help elsewhere.”
- “It seems that you consistently limit yourself to completing the bare minimum for customers, which doesn’t create a memorable service experience.”
- “While your customer service skills are excellent through phone or online correspondence, you seem to struggle with face-to-face interactions.”
Decision-Making and Problem-Solving Example Phrases
There isn’t one set method of rationally solving problems and making decisions, but there are healthy and unhealthy ways to go about each. Ensuring your employees have the tools to make well-informed decisions and solve problems with a level head will help them be better leaders.
Strengths:
- “You make sure to analyze challenging situations instead of diving into them unprepared.”
- “You are always willing to seek out guidance and opinions from others when faced with important decisions.”
- “You quickly identify problems and begin formulating solutions before they can escalate.”
- “You take time to put thought into your decisions, ensuring they align with your goals and intended outcomes.”
- “Your confidence when presenting solutions is admirable and shows your thoroughness when approaching and solving problems.”
- “You consider how your decisions will affect others and how they may affect the organization in the long term.”
Weaknesses:
- “There are times when emotional reactions seem to slow or cloud your decision-making process. Taking a moment to stop and consider your responses can give you much-needed clarity.”
- “You occasionally seek to solve problems on your own without assistance from colleagues or other helpful resources.”
- “When others provide input on an important decision or problem, you lack receptiveness to their ideas. It’s important to remember the value of others opinions.”
- “While you never fail to produce solutions, you often rush into creating them before fully understanding the problem you aim to solve.”
- “You sometimes repeat mistakes you have made in the past rather than reflecting on previous setbacks and seeing them as an opportunity to grow.”
Interpersonal Skills and Teamwork Example Phrases
Teamwork is essential to a cohesive and productive work environment. Helping your employees develop their interpersonal skills, like empathy, communication, and collaboration, can improve teamwork in the workplace.
Strengths:
- “You recognize when you are in over your head and seek help from your team before you fall behind.”
- “Your willingness to go out of your way to help others portrays the value you place on being a team player.”
- “You outwardly portray feelings of trust in your teammates, inspiring them to do the same.”
- “Your ability to keep a positive attitude in even the most difficult situations makes it easier for your team to remain calm in their search for solutions.”
- “You are adaptable to different points of view and encourage your colleagues to share their ideas.“
- “You actively participate in social activities, which improves your ability to work closely and cohesively with your team.”
Weaknesses:
- “You often forgo seeking out peer reviews for your work. Asking for a second look at your work can ensure fewer errors and a more verifiable end product.”
- “Your lack of enthusiasm in social settings at work may make you seem unapproachable and strain your team’s receptiveness toward you. A positive attitude can go a long way in team building.”
- “While you do your share of work in collaborative settings, you can be inflexible and unwilling to seek compromise.”
- “You sometimes become avoidant of necessary confrontation or choose to face such conflicts with aggression instead of an open mind. Having open and honest conversations can lead to easier conflict resolution.”
- “You seem to lack trust in your team members and insist on completing all parts of shared projects alone, rather than being aware of the strengths of those around you and allowing yourself to rely on them.”
Leadership and Collaboration Example Phrases
Leadership is a quality that can exist in every individual, no matter their status. Teaching your employees leadership as a skill and encouraging collaboration between team members can create an environment that allows individuals to excel in areas where they are best suited.
Strengths:
- “You excel at making goals and directives easily understood, allowing your team to pursue results with clarity.”
- “You can effectively assess the strengths and weaknesses of others and delegate tasks accordingly.”
- “You understand the importance of holding yourself accountable as a leader and admitting your mistakes.”
- “Your leadership and encouragement consistently lead your team to effectively and efficiently complete projects.”
- “You inspire a culture of trust and comfort within your team, making teamwork more cohesive and enjoyable.”
Weaknesses:
- “Though you are an effective leader, you sometimes speak to others condescendingly. Being aware of your tone can enhance the receptiveness of others to your ideas.”
- “I’ve noticed that you don’t often publicly recognize or congratulate your team members for their accomplishments, which can lower morale, confidence, and trust.”
- “Your time management skills have fallen through in the past, leaving projects unfinished and team members left to pick up the slack.”
- “Your project outcomes as a leader are consistently positive, but you seem to struggle with providing assistance and mentorship to others.”
- “While you effectively manage conflict within your team, you don’t seem to emphasize encouraging group communication and problem-solving.“
Performance and Quality of Work Example Phrases
Without a focus on the quality of work individuals and teams are putting forward, outcomes can drop, and goals may fail to be met. It’s necessary to create an environment where quality performance is encouraged and constructive feedback is given often. When employees feel understood, encouraged, and seen, their motivation increases along with the quality of their work.
Strengths:
- “The quality of your work is consistently high-level and rarely needs improvement.”
- “You show excitement to learn and improve your performance, no matter the level of talent you already possess.”
- “You reach the goals set before you and often exceed expectations with the quality of your work.”
- “You take the initiative to begin working on important tasks and projects before they are asked of you.”
- “When you commit yourself to a task, you give it your best effort no matter the level of importance it holds.”
- “Your attention to detail takes your work to the next level and assures others that you are reliable to be entrusted with important tasks.”
Weaknesses:
- “You can be very result-oriented. While this is a good trait, taking time to ensure the work you’re producing is of consistent quality can make the result even more successful.”
- “You’re diligent in seeing your projects through to completion, but your performance sometimes suffers in quality the closer you are to the end of a project.”
- “It can be difficult for others to gauge your progress or offer assistance at work if you do not set clear goals and communicate them effectively.”
- “You have confidence in the work you produce and your processes of creating it. However, it could be helpful to recognize the value in continuously improving your skills and performance at work.”
- “Though the quality of your work is great, you often fall short of meeting important goals and deadlines.”
Professional Development and Work Ethic Example Phrases
Developing a strong work ethic and desire for professional growth can be a long and difficult process, but the effects of doing so are well worth the effort. You can lead by example and show your employees the positive result of being dedicated to your work, and give them strategies and motivation to seek these skills for themselves.
Strengths:
- “You hold yourself to high standards of honesty and integrity in your work and work relationships.”
- “You are disciplined in the workplace, adhering to company policies and maintaining a professional attitude.”
- “You are eager to learn more about changes in your field and incorporate new information into your career goals.”
- “You seek out opportunities to converse with a diverse array of people, gaining new perspectives and applying new practices to your own work.”
- “Your ability to receive and respond to constructive feedback openly allows you to grow exponentially.”
Weaknesses:
- “It’s easy to become stagnant in a repetitive work environment, but seeking new information and opportunities for growth can keep you on your toes and interested in your work.”
- “Being able to own your faults and mistakes is a sign of strength and integrity. Reflecting on feedback and criticism will allow you to grow in new ways.”
- “Remember the importance of being respectful toward the work culture of this organization, and try to abide by procedures and practices that are in place to make this a friendly and positive work environment.”
- “While you do participate in professional development activities, it is helpful to find ways to apply new information to your workflow.”
- “Focus and commitment to professionalism can elevate your performance and help you feel more connected to your work.”
Strategic Thinking and Planning Example Phrases
Clear goals and objectives can eliminate wasted time and effort, and help unite a team in both the short and long term. Encouraging strategic thinking and helping your employees learn how to make an efficient plan can produce a more streamlined team effort towards shared goals.
Strengths:
- “You refer to data-driven information when making important technical decisions.”
- “Your work is always well planned out, with clear milestones and goals.”
- “You ensure that plans are frequently communicated and well understood within your team.”
- “You approach new situations from an objective standpoint to determine the best course of action.”
- “You ensure that your methods are in alignment with the big picture of the project or team you are working with.”
Weaknesses:
- “Take time to look at your work and how it fits into larger projects and goals. This ensures that you are aligned with the overall vision and can properly contribute to it.”
- “Instead of creating complicated strategies to tackle your projects, try to simplify your approach to the problem or prompt and create clear objectives.”
- “It’s important not to overlook the necessity of collaboration and utilizing the expertise of your peers when trying to work together towards a common goal.”
- “While being proactive in the face of an upcoming issue is helpful, taking the time to create and plan your approach can ensure a desired outcome.”
- “Being able to see the big picture of your long-term goals is a great quality, but it’s equally important to recognize the impact of your small daily efforts and tasks.”
Technical Skills and Expertise Example Phrases
Demonstrating a firm understanding of relevant skills and expertise in their industry is a sign of a growth-oriented and serious employee. However, it is important to help your employees recognize the limits of their knowledge and to be consistently open to learning more and gaining new skills.
Strengths:
- “Your proficiency in the technical skills of this industry greatly contributes to your team’s success.”
- “Your openness to guide others with your experience and knowledge is invaluable.”
- “You stay up-to-date on best practices for your skill set and continuously work on improving as new information arises.”
- “You can easily explain highly technical processes with understandable and concise language.”
- “You are highly adept at adapting to new technologies and, in turn, teaching them to others.”
Weaknesses:
- “You possess high levels of technical knowledge, but you often refrain from sharing information and teaching your skills. Doing so could reinforce your own skills and improve your collaborative capabilities.”
- “You produce excellent work, but it’s important to continue seeking opportunities to improve your technical skills.”
- “While your collaborative efforts on tasks create good results, be sure to balance this with independent work in order to avoid diminishing your opportunities for growth and learning.”
- “While your technical skills are high quality, you could work on your ability to effectively communicate and explain your work to those who may be unfamiliar with it.”
- “Although your work is often high quality, remember that checking your work or bringing it to a peer for review can help with identifying avoidable mistakes.”
Time Management and Productivity Example Phrases
Workflows and goals can easily fall apart without proper time management or consistent productivity. It’s important to remember that there are normal ebbs and flows in these areas, but providing your employees with new tools and strategies can help them stay productive and timely.
Strengths:
- “Your punctuality in your collaborations and communication shows you value and respect the time of those you work with.”
- “You set and stick to a schedule for all your daily tasks and projects, which means consistently meeting deadlines.”
- “Your efficiency with planning and executing tasks heightens your overall productivity.”
- “You easily prioritize and complete high-level tasks when faced with short timeframes.”
- “You maintain a productive workspace and encourage your peers to do the same.”
Weaknesses:
- “It’s important not to delay major tasks until the last minute and to give yourself enough time for thorough revision or improvement.”
- “You sometimes prioritize low-level tasks over larger projects that need more time and attention. It can be helpful to list out your tasks in order of priority.”
- “While you usually complete your assigned tasks on time, a lack of routine can leave your team without clarity on the status and timeline of shared projects.”
- “When a new project of higher priority is added to your workload, it is important to find ways to shift your focus from current tasks until you have completed it.”
- “It could be helpful to put more effort into maintaining consistent productivity, which would help you control your workload and reduce stress.“
Essential Components of an Effective Performance Review
These example phrases can assist you in planning your performance reviews and gaining ideas for what they should look like, but they can only take you so far. A performance review should be based on objective observations of your employees and the needs of your organization and team. Whether or not you use any of our examples, remember the essentials of an effective performance review: be direct, open, and constructive.
- Direct: Vague critiques and commentary may leave ample room for confusion and misinterpretation. Being direct and upfront ensures your employees are on the same page as you and know what is expected of them moving forward.
- Open: How you and your employees understand information in any situation may differ based on perspective and process. Listen to their thoughts and be open to their input, as it may alleviate misunderstandings.
- Constructive: Be aware of the difference between criticism and constructive feedback. Instead of criticizing employees, which can lower trust and morale in the workplace, remember that constructive feedback is meant to guide employees to improvement and set clear expectations for the future.
Effective and timely feedback can make a real difference in employee performance and morale. Further, performance reviews are an impactful tool both for people leaders and for building strong company culture.
“As People leaders, we know that timely, constructive feedback isn’t just a “check the box” exercise or a best practice. When managers consistently give feedback with intention and clarity, they create memorable moments of opportunity that strengthen relationships, unlock growth, and drive better business outcomes. It’s how we go about building cultures of accountability, resilience, and continuous growth. When people feel seen, supported, and set up to deliver business results that matter, feedback becomes a strategic lever.”
Delivering Performance Reviews: Dos & Don’ts
Do: Regularly give constructive feedback as it arises.
Don’t: Don’t use performance reviews as an excuse to put off giving feedback.
Do: Speak with a level voice and respectful language as you deliver your feedback.
Don’t: Approach the conversation with an accusatory or negative tone.
Do: Give direct feedback with specific suggestions and examples.
Don’t: Use vague concepts and language in your critiques.
Do: Encourage employees by also recognizing their successes.
Don’t: Focus solely on weaknesses in their actions and attitudes.
Do: Utilize constructive feedback to relay ideas firmly but kindly.
Don’t: Try to avoid confrontation about weaknesses or mistakes.
Do: Give balanced feedback addressing both soft and hard skills.
Don’t: Base your evaluations on hard skills alone.
Do: Listen to and reflect on their experiences with intention and respect.
Don’t: Ignore input and opinions from those you evaluate.
Do: Look for resources while developing your evaluations, such as this article, AI tools, or performance management software.
Don’t: Feel like you have to do this without any help.
Find the Right Tools & Examples for Performance Reviews
Employee evaluations are a prime opportunity to assess your team, give praise and advice, and steer your employees toward a more cohesive and growth-oriented work environment. Constructive conversations lead to a greater understanding between employees and managers and increase cohesion. Using these performance review examples, you can approach planning your next evaluation session with confidence.
For additional resources, you can explore our top employee performance management software picks. You may also find helpful tools in related TrustRadius categories, such as:
