Recognizing and evaluating leadership skills through performance reviews can help managers identify employees who exhibit outstanding leadership qualities and those who may need further development in this area. Employees who receive constructive feedback on their leadership abilities are better equipped to refine their skills and move forward in their careers.

Related: Best Performance Review Examples for 48 Key Skills

2000+ Performance Review Phrases: The Complete List (Performance Feedback Examples)

Performance Review Questions: Leadership Skills

1. How well does the employee communicate with their team members and other stakeholders?
2. Does the employee inspire and motivate their team to achieve their goals?
3. How well does the employee handle conflicts and difficult situations within the team?
4. Does the employee delegate tasks effectively and empower team members to take ownership of their work?
5. How well does the employee lead by example and demonstrate the values and culture of the organization?
6. Does the employee provide constructive feedback and coaching to their team members?
7. How well does the employee adapt to changes and challenges in the workplace?
8. Does the employee encourage innovation and creativity within the team?
9. How well does the employee collaborate with other departments and leaders within the organization?
10. Does the employee take responsibility for their team’s successes and failures, and work to continuously improve their leadership skills?

Performance Review Phrases and Paragraphs Examples: Leadership Skills

5 – Outstanding

An employee with outstanding leadership skills consistently exceeds the expectations of their role. They are highly skilled in managing teams, setting goals, and driving their team members to achieve success. They excel at problem-solving, decision-making, and conflict resolution. These employees are top-performers and role models to their peers.

Phrases Examples:

• Demonstrates exceptional ability to inspire and motivate team members
• Consistently takes charge and provides clear direction for projects
• Exhibits exceptional adaptability and decision-making abilities during challenging situations
• Consistently demonstrates exceptional vision and strategic thinking
• Empowers and motivates team members to reach their full potential
• Exhibits excellent decision-making and problem-solving abilities under pressure
• Inspires the team with a clear vision and sense of purpose
• Demonstrates exceptional decision-making skills under pressure
• Mentors and develops team members with great success
• Consistently demonstrates exceptional leadership abilities
• Inspires and motivates team members to reach their full potential
• Fosters a collaborative and goal-oriented work environment

Paragraph Examples:

“Jane consistently demonstrates excellent leadership skills, inspiring her team with a clear vision and sense of purpose. Her decision-making ability under pressure has contributed significantly to the team’s success. Jane’s commitment to mentoring and developing her team members has resulted in their professional growth.”

4 – Exceeds Expectations

An employee who exceeds expectations in leadership skills demonstrates a strong ability to lead others effectively. They consistently bring out the best in their team members and foster a positive work environment. These employees typically possess excellent communication, delegation, and motivational skills.

Phrases Examples:

• Frequently exceeds expectations in guiding the team towards goals
• Proactively addresses conflicts and fosters a positive working environment
• Displays strong communication skills that encourage team collaboration
• Often takes initiative to lead and coordinate team efforts
• Effectively communicates expectations and provides constructive feedback
• Demonstrates strong adaptability and flexibility in challenging situations
• Proactively resolves conflicts within the team
• Adapts communication style to meet the needs of different team members
• Motivates the team through consistent encouragement and support
• Regularly takes initiative and guides team in achieving objectives
• Effectively delegates tasks and responsibilities to optimize team performance
• Encourages open communication and actively listens to team members’ concerns

Paragraph Examples:

“John has shown a knack for proactively resolving conflicts within the team, fostering a collaborative working environment. He adapts his communication style to suit the needs of each team member, and his constant motivation and support have energized the team.”

“Jane consistently exceeds expectations in guiding the team towards goals. Her strong communication skills encourage team collaboration, and she proactively addresses conflicts, fostering a positive working environment. However, she sometimes struggles with delegating tasks and managing the workload, which is an area where she could improve.”

3 – Meets Expectations

An employee who meets expectations is capable of successfully leading a team, even under challenging circumstances. They display a good understanding of their responsibilities and provide direction to others. While they may not consistently excel in every aspect of leadership, they maintain a satisfactory level of performance.

Phrases Examples:

• Generally meets expectations in leading the team effectively
• Maintains open communication with team members
• Adequately delegates tasks and assignments, ensuring efficient completion
• Adequately guides the team through projects and daily tasks
• Maintains open and clear communication within the team
• Demonstrates a commitment to personal and professional development
• Sets realistic goals and holds the team accountable for meeting them
• Communicates expectations clearly and effectively
• Actively listens to feedback from team members and adjusts accordingly
• Exhibits adequate leadership skills to manage and support the team
• Demonstrates balanced decision-making and problem-solving abilities
• Adapts to new challenges and makes adjustments as needed to reach goals

Paragraph Examples:

“Sarah meets expectations in setting realistic goals for her team and holding them accountable for achieving those goals. She communicates effectively, ensuring that expectations are clear to all members of the team. Sarah also actively listens to feedback and makes necessary adjustments.”

2 – Needs Improvement

An employee rated as needing improvement in leadership skills demonstrates inconsistent performance in their role. They may struggle with time management, delegation, or interpersonal relationships. They might not have a clear vision for their team and may require further training or mentoring to improve.

Phrases Examples:

• Struggles to communicate effectively with team members, causing confusion
• Has difficulty resolving conflicts within the team
• Needs to improve their ability to delegate tasks and manage workload
• Struggles to make timely decisions in high-pressure situations
• Inconsistently communicates expectations and goals to team members
• Lacks the ability to delegate tasks effectively, leading to bottlenecks in productivity
• Struggles to delegate tasks appropriately and consistently
• Provides insufficient guidance or direction to the team
• Fails to address performance issues in a timely manner
• Struggles to effectively communicate expectations and goals to team members
• Hesitates to delegate tasks and may attempt to manage all aspects of team’s work
• Displays inconsistency in decision-making and follow-through on commitments

Paragraph Examples:

“Tom needs to improve his delegation skills to effectively manage his team. Providing clearer guidance and direction will ensure that team members understand their roles and responsibilities. Tom must address performance issues in a timely manner to maintain a high-functioning team.”

1 – Unacceptable

An employee with an unacceptable level of leadership skills consistently underperforms and exhibits poor management abilities. They may struggle to make decisions, lack effective communication skills, or fail to motivate their team members.

Phrases Examples:

• Demonstrates a lack of leadership skills or unwillingness to assume responsibility
• Fails to communicate clearly, leading to poor performance and low morale within the team
• Does not effectively address conflicts or issues, resulting in a negative working environment
• Demonstrates a lack of understanding of team dynamics and individual needs
• Fails to communicate effectively, causing confusion and misaligned objectives
• Exhibits poor decision-making skills and inability to handle challenging situations
• Lacks confidence in leading the team
• Displays indecisiveness when faced with difficult decisions
• Fails to communicate effectively, leading to confusion and discord among team members
• Lacks necessary leadership skills to direct and support the team effectively
• Fails to cultivate a positive and collaborative work environment
• Continuously demonstrates poor judgment and decision-making abilities

Paragraph Examples:

“Mary’s lack of confidence in leading her team is apparent and negatively impacts team morale. Her indecisiveness when making tough decisions undermines the team’s trust in her leadership. Mary needs to improve her communication to eliminate confusion and discord among the team members.”

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• One common mistake in performance review language is using vague or unclear terms. This can lead to miscommunication or misunderstandings. A well-written review should include specific examples and results, ensuring that the employee fully understands their strengths and areas for improvement.
• Another mistake is the use of negative or overly critical language. While it is important to address areas that need improvement, the focus should be on constructive feedback and solutions. Employees should feel encouraged to take action to improve their performance and supported in their development rather than being discouraged by harsh criticism.
• Failing to acknowledge the employee’s achievements and growth is another mistake. Recognizing and celebrating successes reinforces positive behavior and encourages continued improvement. A balanced review highlights both the employee’s accomplishments and areas for growth to provide a comprehensive evaluation of their performance.
• Many managers fall into the trap of focusing solely on recent events or performances. This can lead to an incomplete or inaccurate assessment of an employee’s overall performance. A good review should take into consideration the entire review period and evaluate all aspects of an employee’s performance, not just those related to recent events.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some prime examples of phrases for evaluating leadership skills?

• “Demonstrates strong leadership qualities by effectively managing and mentoring their team.”
• “Proactively addresses challenges and takes ownership of their responsibilities.”
• “Consistently motivates and inspires team members to perform at high levels.”
• “Displays excellent decision-making and problem-solving capabilities.”

Which phrases are suitable for leadership skills that exceed expectations?

• “Has exceptional communication skills and excels in guiding team members towards achieving project goals.”
• “Continuously takes initiatives to improve team dynamics and increase productivity.”
• “Exhibits outstanding problem-solving skills while tackling complex issues.”
• “Always goes above and beyond in mentoring and developing the skills of team members.”

How can we frame leadership qualities in performance reviews regarding meeting expectations?

• “Successfully leads their team by establishing clear goals and expectations.”
• “Demonstrates the ability to effectively delegate tasks and manage projects.”
• “Communicates well with team members and provides regular feedback.”
• “Supports and encourages the professional development of their team.”

How can we describe leadership skills in need of improvement using performance review phrases?

• “Struggles to effectively delegate tasks, resulting in inefficiencies and missed deadlines.”
• “Needs to improve communication skills to better connect with team members.”
• “Lacks the ability to inspire team members and build a unified vision for the group.”
• “Should focus on enhancing problem-solving skills to address challenges more effectively.”

What are suitable examples of paragraphs describing outstanding leadership in a performance review?

“John has consistently exhibited excellent leadership skills throughout the evaluation period. He has been instrumental in guiding the project team, resulting in timely and high-quality deliverables. John’s ability to motivate and inspire his team members has led to increased productivity and overall satisfaction within the team. He has also established himself as a trusted mentor by providing valuable guidance to his subordinates, which has contributed to their professional growth.”

What are appropriate paragraph examples to critique unacceptable leadership skills in a review?

“During the review period, Jane’s leadership skills have been found to be below expectations. She has had difficulty communicating effectively with her team members, leading to confusion and misunderstandings. Additionally, Jane has struggled to inspire her team and establish a cohesive vision for the project, which has had a negative impact on team morale and productivity. It is crucial for Jane to take necessary steps to improve these areas in order to better lead her team and fulfill her responsibilities as a leader.”