The Essential Performance Review Handbook: A Quick and Handy Resource For Any Manager or HR Professional by Sharon Armstrong

Sometimes I feel like I am alone in my opinion of performance reviews. I like them. Yes, I said it. I do. They can be great for retention and career development; and when necessary, act as supporting documentation to help an employee succeed at another organization.   I have had some excellent reviews (excellent in that they accurately captured achievements and areas for improvement) and have also been the recipient of more than one “what not to do” performance appraisals.  Because of this, I tend to think I have an idea or two about how to and how not to do them so I wasn’t sure what to expect from Sharon Armstrong’s latest book, The Essential Performance Review Handbook: A Quick and Handy Reference For Any Manager or HR Professional (Amazon).   I figured I would learn a couple of tips, but I never expected to get so many.  Chapter after chapter Ms. Armstrong provided words of advice, checklists, and examples that speak to all levels.  This resource can help motivate managers (and employees) and guide them in conducting an accurate assessment. Tools are also provided for the employee, to help them through this anxiety-laden review, especially in the area of self-assessment. You will find tools for legal compliance, how to handle telecommuting employees, and tips on what not to do in the rating process.  She talks about bias and how it can really harm a good review.  She also discusses objectives and how to develop them for employees. The list goes on and on.
Ms. Armstrong speaks to the reader without saying “Hey you! Pay attention.” She definitely got my attention.  She pointed out problem areas, and offered solutions, lots of them.  I highly recommend the easy to follow, tip-filled, multi-audience The Essential Performance Review Handbook.  It’s in my short stack of must-have-books next to my computer.
Submitted by Denise Henderson, PHR, HR Manager, Ocean

“The Power of a Good Fight” by Lynne Eisaguirre

This practical book helps managers and employers discover their team members’ and colleagues’ conflict styles, and explores how to use those styles to their advantage.  It explains how to embrace and use conflict to create meaningful change, innovation and successful relationships; build winning teams that understand the necessity of conflict and use conflict creatively; skillfully confront others and be confrontable; and understand and harness unique styles to make conflict work.

“The Coward’s Guide to Conflict”  by Tim Ursiny, Ph.D.

In his book, success coach Dr. Tim Ursiny shows that conflict can be a good thing and that facing up to it can lead to fantastic results.  The Coward’s Guide to Conflict gives strength, techniques, motivations and challenges to the people who need it most.  It’s step-by-step approach shows how to prepare, maintain your integrity, and work toward resolution.

“Since Strangling Isn’t an Option – Dealing with Difficult People Common Problems and Uncommon Solutions” by Sandra A. Crowe,

This refreshing, realistic guide, with revealing self-quizzes and engaging exercises provide real solutions to oftentimes “unreal” problems.  It explores why dealing with a difficult person doesn’t have to ruin your day, the habits that cause continued conflict and techniques that turn things around, and how to develop an “attitude of gratitude” to smooth the way in shaping relationships.

(Submitted by Cornelia Gamlem, August 2007)

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