Common themes in performance appraisals focus on employee attitudes such as reliability, dependability, and integrity. Overarching positive comments about super attitudes provide no information regarding behaviors for an employee to continue, while overarching negative comments about terrible attitudes provide no information regarding behaviors for the employee to eliminate.
When providing feedback in reliability, dependability, and integrity, keep in mind that as an employee improves his or her performance, then individual attitudes improve as well.
Reliability and Dependability
Exceptional: Consistently exceeds expectations
Displays exceptional performance day after day
Keeps his word under all circumstances
Regardless of the situation, will do everything possible to make sure that her performance is steady and strong
Is unstopped by obstacles, pressures, and demands that would justifiably derail others
Excellent: Frequently exceeds expectations
Can be counted on to give 110 percent under all circumstances
Keeps his commitments and works with fellow employees to help them keep theirs
Automatically works extra hours if that’s what it takes to get the job done right
Fully competent: Meets expectations
Can be counted upon for steady performance
Demonstrates consistently solid performance in all aspects of her work
Handles projects conscientiously from start to finish
Marginal: Occasionally fails to meet expectations
Demands reliability from others, but not from himself
Has energy, drive, and performance levels that are inconsistent and unpredictable
Talks about deliverables, but does not consistently deliver
Unsatisfactory: Consistently fails to meet expectations
Disappoints employees who depend on her
Makes promises that he doesn’t keep
Guarantees that deadlines will be met, but consistently misses them
Integrity
Exceptional: Consistently exceeds expectations
Maintains the highest standards of personal integrity
Displays exemplary behavior in every aspect of his work
Is highly regarded for her integrity both within and outside the company
Is a true embodiment of the company’s values regarding integrity
Sets the high-water mark for integrity
Identifies the most worthy steps and then takes them
When given a choice, always opts for the reputable route
Finds and implements the sterling way to handle any ethically challenging situation
Excellent: Frequently exceeds expectations
Sets very high personal standards of integrity, which his employees emulate
Will not consider less-than-honorable plans, strategies, or behaviors
Consistently engages in meritorious behavior
Can be counted upon to act honorably in all situations
Builds a climate of integrity in her department
Demonstrates the highest levels of integrity in all dealings with employees
Handles all dealings with his customers with the highest levels of integrity
Has a strong sense of integrity that underlies dealings with vendors
Fully competent: Meets expectations
Is well-intentioned in all her workplace behaviors
Consistently takes the high road
Appropriately counsels employees who engage in disingenuous behaviors
Has a strong sense of right and wrong, and consistently strives to do what’s right
Maintains high standards of integrity across his department
Makes decisions that consistently reflect her strong commitment to acting reputably
Quickly dismisses less-than-exemplary options
Marginal: Occasionally fails to meet expectations
Lets expedience trump integrity
Sets integrity aside when pursuing his goals
Rationalizes her less-than-meritorious behaviors
Does not rank integrity particularly high on his list of priorities
Always expects integrity from others, but doesn’t always display it herself
Intermittently demonstrates acceptable levels of integrity
Has had several recent lapses in integrity
Unsatisfactory: Consistently fails to meet expectations
Violates company standards and expectations regarding employee integrity
Has put the company at risk with his untoward actions
Engages in underhanded behaviors
Has taken actions that have caused his employees to question his integrity
Has generated complaints from customers because of issues with his integrity
Has been the cause of concern from vendors because of her integrity
Has cost the company customers and money because of his disingenuous behavior
Has engaged in questionable behaviors that have led to corporate embarrassment
