You have received your performance appraisal and you are going to have an interview with your supervisor. You may have mixed feelings because you disagree with certain criticism in the appraisal. You want to defend yourself and are trying to mentally prepare for a conflict with your manager. If you are familiar with these feelings, now try to take a moment to get control of your emotions. Causing a conflict with your superior will probably not benefit your career. Try to look at the situation as an opportunity to improve rather than to say something you will regret. What statements should you avoid?
"You're wrong."
If you tell your supervisor that what he says is not true, you will be perceived as a defensive and argumentative individual who is not interested in improving. Instead, you should rather ask for a few examples of the criticized behavior. Listen to his feedback and thank him for it. Then you can think it through for a while and if you still consider the feedback unfair, meet with your boss again. Explain that you have been thinking about your evaluation and would like to talk about it again. Your supervisor will then tend to be more open to further discussion.
"It was not my fault."
If you blame a colleague or directly ask your supervisor who told him about the things you are criticized of, you will end up giving the same impression as in the first case. It will look as though you are not able to accept responsibility. A better solution is to listen to the criticism and offer opportunities for improvement. Then your boss will see you as someone who wants to further improve and grow.
"It's not in my job description."
This response is another example of your inability to take responsibility. If you want to convince your superiors that you want to improve, you should always ask how and what you can do, even if it is not in the basic list of your duties.
"I want more money."
Always first listen to what your boss wants to say and express your demands after. Opening a discussion by requesting more money or a promotion is simply hostile and will not bring you any success.
"I have nothing to say."
The purpose of a performance evaluation is to further employee development. If you remain silent or say that you do not have any comments, it's like saying that you absolutely do not care about your development. Prepare in advance what you want to talk about. Keep in mind the discussion will focus on areas in which you can learn more and define your goals for the next period.
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