Some employees will behave like Woodpeckers. Woodpeckers will discount everything you say, immediately. It may appear that the Woodpecker isn't even listening to what you're saying. The Woodpecker isn't likely to defend himself against the things you've said because he won't acknowledge any negative critici

Does the very thought of conducting a performance evaluation cause your heart rate to elevate or give you a sick feeling in the pit of your stomach?

Performance evaluations are a standard management tool and managers know that providing their staff with constructive feedback is an essential part of their job. Yet there are few tasks managers would rather avoid.

Why? Most managers will tell you that performance evaluations are time consuming and arduous, even when the employee is performing well. But when the employee has not been performing as expected and required, conducting a performance evaluation can become overwhelming and burdensome. Managers spend an inordinate amount of time preparing for this type of difficult conversation - crafting the message, determining how to address the issues, what words to use, and what phrases to avoid. All of this is done with the hope that the employee will receive the manager's feedback in the manner it was intended.

While it is impossible to determine how an employee will react to a negative performance evaluation, there are patterns to how individuals respond to negative or conflictual issues. Understanding these patterns can help managers prepare for those difficult performance conversations.

Some employees will behave like Woodpeckers. Woodpeckers will discount everything you say, immediately. It may appear that the Woodpecker isn't even listening to what you're saying. The Woodpecker isn't likely to defend himself against the things you've said because he won't acknowledge any negative criticis

Why? Most managers will tell you that performance evaluations are time consuming and arduous, even when the employee is performing well. But when the employee has not been performing as expected and required, conducting a performance evaluation can become overwhelming and burdensome. Managers spend an inordinate amount of time preparing for this type of difficult conversation - crafting the message, determining how to address the issues, what words to use, and what phrases to avoid. All of this is done with the hope that the employee will receive the manager's feedback in the manner it was intended.

While it is impossible to determine how an employee will react to a negative performance evaluation, there are patterns to how individuals respond to negative or conflictual issues. Understanding these patterns can help managers prepare for those difficult performance conversations.

Some employees will behave like Woodpeckers. Woodpeckers will discount everything you say, immediately. It may appear that the Woodpecker isn't even listening to what you're saying. The Woodpecker isn't likely to defend himself against the things you've said because he won't acknowledge any negative critici

While it is impossible to determine how an employee will react to a negative performance evaluation, there are patterns to how individuals respond to negative or conflictual issues. Understanding these patterns can help managers prepare for those difficult performance conversations.

Some employees will behave like Woodpeckers. Woodpeckers will discount everything you say, immediately. It may appear that the Woodpecker isn't even listening to what you're saying. The Woodpecker isn't likely to defend himself against the things you've said because he won't acknowledge any negative critici

While it is impossible to determine how an employee will react to a negative performance evaluation, there are patterns to how individuals respond to negative or conflictual issues. Understanding these patterns can help managers prepare for those difficult performance conversations.

Some employees will behave like Woodpeckers. Woodpeckers will discount everything you say, immediately. It may appear that the Woodpecker isn't even listening to what you're saying. The Woodpecker isn't likely to defend himself against the things you've said because he won't acknowledge any negative critici

Some employees will behave like Woodpeckers. Woodpeckers will discount everything you say, immediately. It may appear that the Woodpecker isn't even listening to what you're saying. The Woodpecker isn't likely to defend himself against the things you've said because he won't acknowledge any negative criticism. Rather, the Woodpecker will come out on the attack, making a point of why his lack of success is the direct result of someone else's incompetence.

In order to deal with Woodpeckers, it is important not to get drawn into their communication pattern. Defensiveness or retaliation will only intensify the confrontation. Rather, keep lines of communication open by being direct and unambiguous. Be clear about what you have to say. Continuously refocus the conversation on the behaviors and actions that you expect from the employee in order for him to receive a positive performance evaluation.

Not all employees will be confrontational Woodpeckers, however. Some are more likely to respond like Parakeets. Parakeets will accept everything you say with a smile. You may get the impression that the conversation has not been difficult for the employee at all. In fact, you may wonder if they even care about a poor performance evaluation. Rest assured, they care. But Parakeets will make every effort to see the positive side of things rather than focus on the negative.

This can be an asset in dealing with Parakeets. It is important to acknowledge the positive aspects of the situation and to build on them. But when you are managing a Parakeet, you may need to make sure that she is no