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Quarterly review with Sarah

Performance discussion · Difficult feedback expected

Suggested practice
Try Me · Difficult feedback conversation, calibrated to your direct report's likely responses
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Quarterly review with Sarah

Performance discussion · ✓ You've prepared

Rehearsal complete
Try Me · 7 min · 2 scenarios practiced
Two things to remember
  • Name the impact before exploring causes.
  • Sarah may push back on the timeline. Stay on the behavior, not the excuse.
2 hours ago Debrief

Quarterly review with Sarah

Performance discussion

Rough one?
The meeting transcript showed flaws in your timeline explanations and Sarah had tough questions you had troubles answering.
Meeting Notes

Thomas: Thanks for making time, Sarah. Let's keep this useful, not formal.

Sarah: Sounds good. I'll admit I'm a little nervous.

Thomas: No need. Overall, this was a strong quarter for you. Let me show you what I mean.

Sarah: Okay.

Thomas: Your delivery on the onboarding revamp was excellent. Ahead of schedule, and the team noticed.

Sarah: That one went well. I'm proud of it.

Thomas: You should be. Now, one thing I want to talk through. The Meridian project review came back rough.

Sarah: Yeah. I saw the feedback. It stung.

Thomas: I get that. So I pulled the details before this meeting. I don't think it's the whole story.

Sarah: What do you mean?

Thomas: The scope changed twice mid-project, and nobody adjusted the timeline. That's on the process, not on you. Two of the three complaints trace back to those shifts.

Sarah: That's true. I felt like I was chasing a moving target.

Thomas: Exactly. So here's what I'd like. Next time scope moves, flag it to me the same day. We renegotiate the deadline together. You don't absorb that alone.

Sarah: That would help a lot. I think I stayed quiet when I should have raised my hand.

Thomas: Easy fix. And to be clear, one tough project doesn't erase a great quarter. Your rating reflects the full picture, and it's a good one.

Sarah: I really appreciate you looking into it instead of just taking the score at face value. This is the most useful review I've had.

Thomas: That's the point of these. Keep doing what you're doing. I've got your back on the process side.

Sarah: Thank you, Thomas. I'm leaving this feeling motivated.

Thomas: Thanks for coming in, Sarah. Let me just pull your file up quickly. Give me a second.

Sarah: Of course.

Thomas: Right. So, overall a solid quarter, I'd say. A lot of good work in here.

Sarah: Thank you.

Thomas: The onboarding project especially. That was a nice piece of work. That was the revamp, correct?

Sarah: Yes, the onboarding revamp. It shipped ahead of schedule.

Thomas: Good, good. Now, the one area I wanted to touch on is Meridian. The review there came back lower than we'd like.

Sarah: I saw that. What stood out in the feedback?

Thomas: A few things around delivery, mainly. I didn't get all the way through the detail before this, but the overall score was the concern.

Sarah: The scope changed twice partway through. Was that reflected anywhere?

Thomas: It may have been. I'd have to go back and check. Either way, the outcome is what it is, and we want to see that trend improve.

Sarah: Improve how, though? I want to make sure I'm working on the right thing.

Thomas: Broadly, just tighter execution and staying ahead of the risks. We can define the specifics down the line.

Sarah: Okay. And does Meridian affect my overall rating?

Thomas: I haven't fully finalized the rating yet. I'll circle back once I've squared everything away.

Sarah: So I don't really know where I stand right now.

Thomas: Not in full detail, no. But I wouldn't read too much into it for now. Let's pick this back up soon. I've got another meeting starting.

Sarah: Right. Thanks, Thomas.