Performance Review Questions: Management Style

1. How does the employee communicate with their team members? Do they provide clear instructions and guidance, or do they struggle to convey their expectations effectively?

2. Does the employee delegate tasks and responsibilities appropriately? Are they able to trust their team members to complete tasks without micromanaging them?

3. How does the employee handle conflicts or difficult situations within their team? Do they approach these situations in a calm and professional manner, or do they become defensive or confrontational?

4. Does the employee encourage collaboration and teamwork within their team? Do they foster an environment where team members feel comfortable sharing ideas and working together?

5. Does the employee provide feedback and recognition to their team members regularly? Do they acknowledge their team members’ contributions and provide constructive feedback to help them improve?

6. How does the employee handle pressure and deadlines? Are they able to stay focused and organized, or do they become overwhelmed and stressed?

7. Does the employee take initiative and demonstrate leadership skills? Are they able to make decisions confidently and take responsibility for their actions?

By asking yourself these questions, you can gain a better understanding of the employee’s management style and provide specific feedback during their performance review.

Related: Best Performance Review Examples for 48 Key Skills

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

Performance Review Phrases and Paragraphs Examples: Management Style

5 – Outstanding

A manager with an outstanding management style consistently goes above and beyond in their leadership abilities. They are highly effective communicators, always providing timely feedback and guidance to their team members. This manager actively fosters a collaborative environment that encourages growth and innovation. They are a strategic thinker, anticipating challenges, and proactively seeking solutions to overcome them.

Phrases Examples:

• Consistently demonstrates an ability to manage and direct a team efficiently
• Exceptional at adjusting management style to each team member’s needs
• Exhibits an excellent balance between delegation and individual involvement in project tasks
• Inspirational and inclusive leader who fosters a positive work environment
• Consistently demonstrates exceptional leadership
• Effectively delegates and empowers team members
• Exemplary ability to balance competing priorities
• Always fosters a positive work environment
• Empowers employees to excel in their roles
• Exceptional ability to lead projects and teams to success

Paragraph Examples:

“Eric has demonstrated exceptional leadership and strategic decision-making skills throughout the year. His ability to foster a growth-oriented and innovative work environment has played a significant role in the team’s success. His employees often express their appreciation for his guidance, mentorship, and approachability.”

“John’s management style is truly outstanding. He demonstrates excellent communication skills, regularly collaborating with the team and encouraging open discussions. John consistently sets high expectations for his team, providing clear goals and offering constructive feedback to ensure progress. His decisiveness and ability to adapt to changing circumstances have significantly contributed to the team’s success and made him a valuable asset to the company.”

“Jenny consistently demonstrates exceptional leadership, effectively delegating tasks to her team members. Her ability to balance competing priorities has greatly improved the team’s performance in meeting goals. Jenny’s exemplary management style ensures overall success by adapting to challenges and fostering a positive work environment.”

“Sarah consistently demonstrates excellent management and leadership skills. She establishes a positive work environment and effectively communicates her expectations to the team. By empowering her employees, Sarah encourages initiative and innovation, which ultimately leads to a highly successful business unit.”

4 – Exceeds Expectations

A manager who exceeds expectations balances a well-organized management style with a focus on employee development and engagement. This manager is approachable, values feedback, and empowers their team to take ownership of their work.

Phrases Examples:

• Frequently finds innovative solutions to management challenges
• Adapts well to different team dynamics and effectively adjusts management approach
• Actively works to improve team performance through coaching and mentoring
• Sets high standards for the team and works collaboratively to achieve them
• Regularly collaborates to achieve team goals
• Proactively develops innovative solutions to challenges
• Highly skilled at motivating and engaging team members
• Consistently demonstrates strong leadership skills
• Adapts management style to fit the needs of the team
• Proactively addresses issues and finds viable solutions

Paragraph Examples:

“David consistently exhibits a well-balanced management style, stressing the importance of both employee engagement and operational efficiency. He encourages innovation and fosters an environment where employees feel comfortable contributing ideas. His team consistently meets and exceeds performance metrics.”

“Jane’s management style often exceeds expectations. She successfully balances individual and team needs, fostering a positive and supportive work environment. Jane ensures that her team receives regular feedback, helping them to grow and develop their skills. While she has a clear vision for her team, Jane is open to new ideas and suggestions, promoting a sense of ownership and responsibility among team members.”

“John has shown strong leadership skills and consistently exceeds expectations in his role. He is adaptive in his management style, adjusting to the needs of his team, and addressing any issues proactively. His ability to find viable solutions to challenges makes him a valuable asset to the company.”

3 – Meets Expectations

A manager who meets expectations satisfies the basic requirements of their managerial role. They maintain an organized and efficient work environment and communicate with their team regularly. While there may be areas for improvement, this manager’s overall performance is satisfactory.

Phrases Examples:

• Exhibits a consistent and appropriate management style
• Provides clear directions and guidance to team members
• Actively listens to feedback and adjusts management approach accordingly
• Takes responsibility for team’s success and addresses performance issues in a timely manner
• Adapts well to changes in team and business goals
• Communicates expectations clearly and effectively
• Consistently fosters a positive work environment
• Effectively communicates expectations to team members
• Supports employees in their growth and development
• Appropriately delegates tasks to ensure timely completion

Paragraph Examples:

“Michael consistently meets expectations in his management role. He maintains a well-structured work environment and communicates effectively with his team. While there are some opportunities for growth and development in his leadership skills, Michael’s overall management style is satisfactory and contributes to the success of his team.”

“Ryan’s management style meets expectations. He consistently communicates with his team, making sure everyone is informed about project progress and workplace expectations. Ryan is good at delegating tasks and trusting his team with their assigned responsibilities. However, there may be room for improvement in terms of providing more timely and constructive feedback to help the team grow and address areas where they can improve.”

“Mark has shown that he is capable of adapting to changes in team and business goals. He communicates expectations clearly and effectively, ensuring that the team understands their roles and responsibilities. Mark consistently fosters a positive work environment, but there is room for improvement in managing team conflicts.”

“Jane does a good job of managing her team. She’s a strong communicator and effectively delegates tasks to ensure timely completion of projects. By supporting her employees’ growth and development, Jane helps raise the overall performance of her team.”

2 – Needs Improvement

A manager who needs improvement may struggle with maintaining a productive and supportive work environment for their team. They might have difficulties with communication, organization, or providing adequate guidance and support to employees.

Phrases Examples:

• Struggles to provide team members with clear expectations and direction
• Inconsistent in applying management policies and standards across the team
• Needs to work on communication skills to better guide team members
• Tends to micromanage, limiting team’s ability to grow and develop independently
• Occasionally struggles when managing team conflicts
• Struggles in delegating tasks to team members
• Could improve communication skills for team success
• Struggles to adapt management style to changing situations
• Hesitates to address performance issues in a timely manner
• Needs to improve communication skills with team membersTom’s management style needs some improvement. He struggles to adapt his approach to different situations and hesitates to address performance issues with his team. By enhancing his communication skills, Tom can become a more effective leader.

Paragraph Examples:

“Sarah’s management style could benefit from improvement in several areas. While she is committed to her role and the success of her team, she struggles with communication and often provides unclear guidance to her employees. By addressing these areas, Sarah has the potential to develop into a more effective manager.”

“Jessica’s management style could use some improvement. She often fails to communicate expectations clearly, which can lead to confusion among team members and missed deadlines. Additionally, Jessica has a tendency to micromanage her team, which can feel stifling and inhibit creativity. To improve Jessica’s management style, it would be beneficial for her to focus on building trust with her team, providing clear expectations and deadlines, and giving team members more autonomy to complete tasks.”

1 – Unacceptable

A manager with an unacceptable management style fails to demonstrate the foundational skills required for their role. They may have poor communication skills, lack organization, and fail to provide proper guidance and support to their team.

Phrases Examples:

• Fails to address performance issues, leading to an unproductive work environment
• Consistently displays a lack of empathy and understanding in management style
• Ineffective in managing conflicts or issues among team members
• Demonstrates favoritism, resulting in an unfair and unbalanced workplace
• Frequently overlooks team members’ input
• Does not effectively manage conflict within the team
• Inconsistent communication leads to misunderstandings
• Fails to provide clear direction to the team
• Micromanages employees, hindering their growth and development
• Does not take accountability for poor team performance

Paragraph Examples:

“Mark’s management style is unacceptable, as his lack of organization and poor communication skills significantly hinder his team’s performance. He struggles to provide clear direction and support to his employees, resulting in missed deadlines and low morale. Mark needs immediate intervention to address these issues and develop his managerial skills.”

“Steve’s management style is currently rated as unacceptable. He frequently fails to communicate with his team, which results in missed deadlines, confusion, and inadequate performance. Furthermore, Steve does not actively support his team’s professional growth, neglecting to provide essential feedback and guidance. It is crucial for Steve to develop a more collaborative, supportive, and communicative management style to meet the requirements of his role and contribute to the success of the team.”

“David frequently overlooks the input of team members and struggles to manage conflict within the team. His inconsistent communication leads to misunderstandings, often affecting project deadlines. Improvement is necessary for David to create a healthier work environment that encourages collaboration and growth.”

“Unfortunately, Susan’s management style is unacceptable. She fails to provide clear direction to her team, often micromanaging and hindering their growth and development. Taking accountability for her team’s poor performance and implementing changes in her approach are essential for Susan’s growth as a manager.”

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some performance review phrases for evaluating management style?

5 – Outstanding:

• She consistently demonstrates exceptional leadership qualities and motivates her team to achieve high performance.
• He fosters a supportive and inclusive work environment, resulting in increased employee satisfaction and productivity.

4 – Exceeds Expectations:

• She sets clear expectations and holds her team accountable, driving improved performance and results.
• He effectively balances delegation and decision-making, empowering his team members to take ownership of their work.

3 – Meets Expectations:

• She consistently fosters teamwork, cooperation, and a sense of shared responsibility among her team members.
• He communicates expectations and provides constructive feedback, contributing to overall team development and performance.

2 – Needs Improvement:

• She struggles to balance giving direction with providing autonomy, often micromanaging her team members.
• He occasionally displays a lack of empathy, impacting team morale and overall performance.

1 – Unacceptable:

• Her management style creates an atmosphere of fear and mistrust, resulting in high employee turnover and low morale.
• He consistently fails to communicate effectively, leading to confusion and poor team performance.

How can you assess a manager’s ability to delegate tasks through performance review paragraphs?

A manager’s ability to delegate tasks can be assessed by examining the effective distribution of workloads, employee engagement and empowerment, and overall team productivity. For example:

“Jane demonstrates excellent delegation skills by assigning tasks based on each team member’s strengths, skills, and capabilities. She ensures that tasks are well-defined and provides guidance and support as necessary. As a result, her team consistently meets deadlines and goals without feeling overwhelmed.”

What are examples of performance review phrases for communication skills in management?

5 – Outstanding:

• He effectively communicates expectations, goals, and pertinent information, ensuring team members understand their roles and responsibilities.
• She consistently engages in open and honest communication with her team members, fostering a transparent and collaborative work environment.

4 – Exceeds Expectations:

• He actively listens to team members’ ideas and concerns, and addresses them efficiently and empathetically.
• She communicates effectively with team members and stakeholders, leading to increased collaboration and successful project completion.

3 – Meets Expectations:

• She maintains clear communication channels with her team members, providing updates and offering assistance when required.
• He responds to questions and concerns in a timely manner, facilitating good communication within the team.

2 – Needs Improvement:

• She occasionally struggles to communicate effectively with her team members, leading to confusion and a lack of clarity.
• He sometimes provides vague instructions, causing miscommunication and frustration among team members.

1 – Unacceptable:

• His communication with his team is consistently poor, resulting in confusion, delays, and low morale.
• She frequently ignores team members’ input and concerns, leading to a breakdown in communication and trust.

How do you evaluate a manager’s decision-making abilities in a performance review?

A manager’s decision-making abilities can be evaluated by examining their ability to make informed decisions, consider various perspectives, and adapt to changing circumstances. For example:

“John consistently demonstrates strong decision-making skills. He carefully analyzes data, considers multiple perspectives, and makes informed decisions that positively impact the team and organization. Furthermore, John is adaptable and makes adjustments to his decisions when new information becomes available.”

What are some examples of phrases for assessing a manager’s ability to motivate and inspire their team?

5 – Outstanding:

• She consistently motivates her team members to achieve their best, leading to increased performance and productivity.
• He inspires and encourages his team to take on challenges and develop new skills, resulting in professional growth and increased team capabilities.

4 – Exceeds Expectations:

• She regularly acknowledges and celebrates team achievements, helping to maintain high levels of morale and motivation.
• He creates a positive work environment where team members feel supported, valued, and encouraged to reach their potential.

3 – Meets Expectations:

• She provides constructive feedback, helping team members improve their performance and feel motivated to achieve their goals.
• He establishes clear and realistic expectations for team members, encouraging them to work toward their objectives.

2 – Needs Improvement:

• She struggles to maintain team motivation and tends to focus on negative aspects rather than acknowledging and celebrating successes.
• He rarely offers encouragement or motivation, leading to decreased morale and team performance.

1 – Unacceptable:

• Her inability to motivate and inspire her team has led to diminished performance levels and a lack of enthusiasm among team members.
• He consistently demoralizes his team, leading to a culture of apathy, disengagement, and high employee turnover.

What are examples of performance review paragraphs focusing on a manager’s adaptability and flexibility?

Managers who demonstrate adaptability and flexibility can effectively navigate changes and challenges, adjusting their strategies, and supporting their team members. For example:

“Susan consistently showcases adaptability and flexibility in her management style. She proactively monitors changes in the business environment and adjusts her team’s goals and strategies accordingly. Susan also fosters an adaptive mindset among her team members, encouraging them to embrace change and overcome obstacles.”