Performance management

First of all what is an appraisal- an appraisal is a regular assessment of an employee’s performance. An appraisal takes an overall look at the employee and a view at the work loads, and volume, and gives tips on what could be improved on. (ACAS 2006)

An appraisal I have taken part in, was when I was working at phones4u, after 3months of working there, the team manager booked me in for an appraisal, for the following week. During the appraisal, I realised it was the other team manager, that I had never worked with was giving me the appraisal, the simplest way to put it, I was shocked to have someone, who i have hardly seen tell me things, I need to improve on, it made me the appraisal wasn’t taken seriously. However on the other hand I was praised for my efforts at work, although I felt like, the praise part was just said to lighten up my mood.

The skills needed to make a mentor good and effective is, being a good listener, everyone needs someone to listen to them at some point,  mentors guide the people how seek their help and  advice, and direct them.

Mentors also provide insights on the objectives of the person they are mentoring, mentors criticize usefully; mentors also help every way possible, all these skills listed, are required to make a mentor effective.

A person in my social life who has been a mentor to me is my older brother, he gave me advice in my time of need, and on a daily basis, even when i didn’t really need it, however it kept me on track, this has however, made me realise, that I can do what want to, if i put my mind to it.

To conclude, we all need someone to put us on track some point in our lives, however some people may not need a mentor.


Mullins (2004) management and organisational behaviour.  (8^th edition).