DISC-Based Performance Reviews: A Real-Time Feedback Guide

Sally Dillon • January 25, 2024

Rethinking Performance Reviews with DISC Profiles: Embracing Real-Time Feedback and Outcome-Based Evaluation

In the dynamic landscape of today's workforce, traditional performance reviews are undergoing a much-needed transformation. As small to medium businesses in Australia navigate ever-evolving challenges, reimagining performance reviews with DISC Profiles can be a game-changer for cultivating a motivated, goal-driven, and high-performing team. In this article, we delve into the context, challenges, and actionable steps for adapting performance reviews to align with the needs of the modern workforce, all while leveraging the potential of DISC Profiles and DISC Assessments as assessment tools.


Context: A Changing Work Environment

 Gone are the days when annual or semi-annual performance appraisals were sufficient to assess employee contributions. The nature of work has shifted, with remote work, cross-functional collaborations, and rapidly changing goals becoming the norm. Employees are seeking timely feedback, clear goal alignment, and opportunities for growth that extend beyond a mere checklist of completed tasks.


Challenges: Why Traditional Approaches Fall Short

Traditional performance reviews have several shortcomings in today's context:


1. Lack of Timeliness:

Annual reviews often result in delayed feedback, preventing employees from making real-time adjustments to their performance.


2. Task-Centric Focus:

Relying solely on task completion metrics overlooks the broader impact of an employee's work on the company's goals and outcomes.


3. Inflexibility:

Fixed performance criteria may not adapt well to rapidly changing business priorities and individual employee growth trajectories.


Adapting Performance Reviews: A Fresh Approach


1. Real-Time Feedback as the Foundation:

Embrace a culture of continuous feedback where supervisors, peers, and even subordinates share constructive insights. This encourages open communication, prompt improvements, and a sense of collaboration.


2. Goal Alignment and Outcome Measurement: 

Shift the focus from tasks completed to outcomes achieved. Set clear, measurable goals that align with the company's objectives, enabling employees to understand their contributions to the bigger picture.


3. Frequent Check-Ins: 

Replace annual reviews with regular, informal check-ins. These discussions can occur on a weekly, fortnightly, monthly or quarterly basis, allowing employees to receive and act on feedback in a timelier manner. Consider a simple looking back (what went well, what do you need help with) and looking forward (what’s on for next week/fortnight/month, what do you need help with) approach. 


4. Strengths-Based Approach: 

Acknowledge and leverage employees' strengths. Encourage discussions on how their unique skills contribute to team success and innovation.


5. Employee Development Plans: 

Collaboratively design individual development plans that align with employees' career aspirations and the organisation's needs. This promotes a sense of ownership and growth.


6. 360-Degree Feedback: 

If your workplace culture is ready for an advance step, then consider involving colleagues and subordinates in the review process. A holistic perspective provides a well-rounded evaluation of an employee's performance and behaviours. However, it’s only effective if your culture already fosters open and constructive communication, trust and is able to provide meaningful and rather than emotionally driven feedback. 


7. Consider DISC Profiles and DISC Assessments for Holistic Assessment: 

Explore tools like DISC Profiles and DISC Flow Assessments for comprehensive assessments. DISC Profiles and Emotional Intelligence Assessments can help develop powerful leadership, build cohesive teams, improve sales and customer service, enhance communication, reduce conflict, and increase employee engagement.


Key Takeaway Points for Small to Medium Businesses:


1. Prioritise Real-Time Feedback: 

Cultivate an environment where feedback is timely, constructive, and aimed at fostering growth.


2. Set Outcome-Based Goals: 

Define clear, measurable goals that demonstrate an employee's contribution to the company's success.


3. Ditch the Annual Review: 

Replace infrequent reviews with regular check-ins to ensure ongoing development and alignment.


4. Recognise Strengths with DISC Profiles and Emotional Intelligence Assessments: 

Leverage individual strengths and areas for development, by understanding your people’s DISC Profiles and Emotional Intelligence. These assessments give clear development opportunities and a pathway to build better communication, and high-performing, collaborative teams.


5. Invest in Employee Development: 

Support employees' professional growth through personalised development plans.


6. Embrace a Holistic Perspective: 

Incorporate feedback from multiple sources for a comprehensive evaluation.


7. Consider DISC Profiles and Assessments: 

Explore DISC Profiles and Assessments to enhance leadership, team dynamics, customer interactions, and overall engagement.


In Conclusion: Embrace the Evolution of Performance Reviews with DISC Profiles 

It’s time to ditch the old-style annual reviews and embrace consistent real-time feedback, outcome-based evaluation, and use tools like DISC Profiles and Emotional Intelligence measures to create an engaged workforce that thrives in the face of change. 

Remember, adapting performance reviews isn't just a matter of ticking a box; it's about creating an environment that encourages ongoing communication and improvement, and celebrates meaningful contributions. By doing this you’ll be building a solid foundation for a more resilient and impactful workforce.


Need more help?

If you're unsure about how to navigate this issue or any other HR matter, here are the ways I can help you:

Click here to book a FREE 15 minute consultation to discuss your HR challenges.

Click here to see when our next public DISC Flow Workshop is.

Click here to join my mailing list to get more tips, advice and updates on all things HR and Leadership.

Why HR is Your Most Powerful Business Asset | Strategic HR & Leadership

By Sally Dillon • January 29, 2025
Introduction HR is one of the most misunderstood roles in business. Some believe HR exists to protect employees. Others think HR’s sole job is to defend the company. Both are wrong. And this misunderstanding is costing businesses money, trust, and talent. For over two decades, I’ve seen organisations sideline HR - treating them as a policy enforcer or an afterthought. The result? 🚨 Employees don’t trust HR. 🚨 Leaders fail to leverage HR strategically. 🚨 Businesses struggle with culture, retention, and performance. But here’s the truth: HR isn’t about sides. It’s about solutions. Great HR drives business outcomes by balancing people and performance. The question is: Are you using HR to its full potential? HR as a Strategic Powerhouse, Not Just a Policy Enforcer The best businesses don’t just "have" an HR department. They embed HR into leadership decisions. HR isn’t just about hiring, firing, and compliance - it’s about: ✅ Shaping culture and engagement (which directly impacts performance). ✅ Developing leadership capabilities (to create stronger teams). ✅ Driving strategic workforce planning (so you have the right people, in the right roles, at the right time). ✅ Maximising financial impact - because people are both your biggest cost and your greatest asset. If your HR function isn’t influencing leadership, growth, and profitability , you're leaving money on the table. HR as a Key Voice on Your Leadership Team Many leadership teams still treat HR as a support function rather than a core business driver. That’s a mistake. Your Chief People Officer (CPO) or HR Director should have the same level of influence as your CFO, COO, or Head of Sales. Why? Because your people strategy IS your business strategy. 🔹 You wouldn’t make financial decisions without consulting your CFO. 🔹 You wouldn’t make operational changes without your COO’s input. 🔹 So why make leadership and talent decisions without HR at the table ? And yet, in many businesses, HR reports to finance, operations, or admin - departments that have their own agenda when it comes to assessing people needs, budgets, and workforce requirements. HR should report directly to the CEO, or Business Owner to ensure people strategy is aligned with business strategy - not just budget constraints or operational efficiency. Because when HR is filtered through another department’s lens, critical workforce decisions become secondary to financial targets, logistical priorities, or admin processes. If your HR leader doesn’t report directly to the top, you may be unknowingly limiting their ability to drive real business outcomes. Are You Using HR to Its Full Potential? Take a moment and ask yourself: ❓ If you have an in-house HR team, are you using their skills and expertise across all areas of your business? Or are they stuck in admin-heavy tasks, when they could be driving strategic initiatives? ❓ If you’re a small or medium business and don’t have in-house HR, why haven’t you partnered with an external consultant? What’s stopping you from leveraging the expertise that could transform your business? In larger businesses, HR should go beyond just ‘HR.’ Under an expanded People & Culture framework, HR should oversee: ✔ Training & Development – ensuring leaders and employees are constantly upskilling. ✔ Work Health & Safety – making compliance, risk management, and employee wellbeing a priority. ✔ Recruitment & Talent Strategy – not just filling roles but attracting and retaining top performers. ✔ Major Projects & Change Management – ensuring workforce alignment with organisational shifts. In smaller businesses , these functions can be outsourced or strategically managed by an external HR consultant working directly with the business owner. This ensures a strong, aligned people strategy, while certain operational roles (finance, admin, or operations) may take on specific HR tasks - as long as they receive the right training, support, and strategic direction. HR isn’t just a department - it’s an investment in your business’s future. Whether in-house or external, make sure your HR function is working at a strategic level, not just buried in paperwork. HR’s Impact on the Bottom Line People aren’t just a cost centre - they are a profit driver. 📊 Labour is often one of the largest expenses in a business - so managing it strategically impacts profitability. 📊 Engaged employees are 23% more profitable , according to Gallup. 📊 Turnover costs 50-200% of an employee’s salary - losing top talent is expensive. When HR has a strategic voice in leadership , businesses see: ✔ Stronger alignment between business goals and people strategy. ✔ Faster, smarter hiring that supports growth. ✔ Better leadership development , reducing costly turnover. ✔ More effective workforce planning , so salaries, training, and hiring are investments—not wasted costs. Final Thought: HR is Not a Department - It’s a Business Growth Lever If your HR function feels like a compliance department , you’re doing it wrong. HR should be a leadership asset , helping your business make smarter, people-focused decisions. So, here’s my challenge to you: 📌 If you’re a CEO or MD - bring HR into the strategy conversation early and often. 📌 If you’re a leader - use HR as a coaching and development resource, not just a policy checker or problem fixer. 📌 If you’re in HR - push for a strategic role in leadership, not just operational support. Because when HR and leadership align , businesses don’t just succeed. They thrive. Want to Develop Stronger, More Strategic Leaders? If you’re serious about building leadership capability in your business, let’s talk. My Leadership Dynamics Accellerator Program helps CEOs, Business Owners, Leaders and HR teams create high-performing leaders who know how to balance people and performance. 📅 Book a free leadership triage call to see how we can help here . 🚀 Save your spot in our next Leadership Dynamics Accelerator Program here . 📩 Send us an email for more information here . Let’s build something stronger - together.

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By Sally Dillon • September 18, 2024
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Modernising Management Time: Who's Got the Monkey?

By Sally Dillon • July 4, 2024
Is The Monkey Still Relevant? In the world of modern management, the concept of "Management Time: Who’s Got the Monkey?" by William Oncken Jr. and Donald L. Wass still resonates deeply. Originally published in 1974 and revisited multiple times, this seminal article sheds light on a perennial issue: managers overwhelmed by tasks while subordinates seem to have ample time and energy. Understanding Management Time Today Managers today face a quartet of time demands: Boss-imposed time: Tasks directly mandated by superiors, non-negotiable and swiftly penalised if neglected. System-imposed time: Requests from peers for support, vital for organisational harmony and efficiency. Self-imposed time: Initiatives and tasks originating from the manager themselves, including tasks delegated by subordinates. Team member-imposed time: Requests, questions, or tasks initiated by team members that require the manager's attention or input. The challenge lies in balancing these demands to maximise discretionary time—time not governed by external pressures and crucial for strategic decision-making. The Monkey Metaphor in Today’s Workplace Imagine a manager walking down the hallway, stopped by a subordinate with an urgent issue. Initially, the problem is the subordinate's ("the monkey is on their back"). However, as the manager engages without immediately resolving, the monkey leaps to the manager's back. This shift represents how subordinates can inadvertently burden managers with their tasks and decisions. Practical Leadership Takeaways Empowerment through Initiative: Managers should foster a culture where subordinates take initiative and responsibility. This not only lightens the manager’s load but also enhances team autonomy and morale. Clear Communication: Setting clear boundaries and expectations prevents monkeys from leaping onto the manager's back. Discussions should clarify who owns the next steps and when they should be completed. Time Management: Effective time management is not just about personal efficiency but about strategically using discretionary time to focus on high-impact tasks and strategic priorities. Implementing Modern Strategies Today's managers must proactively manage their time and responsibilities: Appointment-Based Support: Engage with subordinates by appointment rather than ad-hoc interruptions to manage tasks effectively. Documentation and Follow-Up: Use technology and structured communication tools to document tasks and progress, ensuring clarity and accountability without burdening the manager. Training and Empowerment: Invest in training programs that empower subordinates to handle tasks independently and make informed decisions. Conclusion The timeless lesson from "Management Time: Who’s Got the Monkey?" remains clear: managers must reclaim control over their time by preventing subordinate tasks from becoming their own. By fostering initiative, setting clear boundaries, and leveraging technology, modern leaders can achieve greater efficiency and effectiveness in their roles. This approach not only reduces stress but also enhances organisational productivity and employee satisfaction—a win-win for managers navigating today’s complex business environments. You can read the original HBR Article here. Further Enhance Your Leadership Skills If you find yourself grappling with the challenges of balancing managerial responsibilities and empowering your team effectively, consider exploring our Leadership Dynamics Program at Revolution Consulting Group. Designed to equip leaders with modern strategies and practical tools, our program focuses on fostering a culture of accountability, enhancing team dynamics, and maximising leadership potential. Whether you're looking to refine your leadership approach or empower your team to take on greater responsibilities, our tailored coaching and training solutions can support your journey towards becoming a more effective and influential leader. Click here to book an free Triage Call to find out about how our 12 week Leadership Dynamics Program can benefit you. Click here to join our mailing list to get more tips, advice and updates on all things HR and Leadership.
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