Performance review phrases for every skill
The best review phrases name a behavior, give an example and point to what's next. Pick a skill below for 528 phrases at every rating, self-evaluation versions, goals and sample paragraphs, or build a full draft with the free review generator.
Lauren is a real coach. You're texting an AI trained on her coaching.
The formula behind a useful review
Every strong review line has four parts: behavior, example, impact, next step.
Flags risks early (behavior). On the Q3 launch, she raised the vendor delay two weeks out (example), which gave us time to move the date without losing the client (impact). Next quarter, she'll run the risk review for all launches (next step).
The phrases on these pages give you the behavior. The example and the impact have to come from you, and they're the part people remember. Keep a running note through the year so you aren't reconstructing it from memory in December.
What each rating should sound like
| Rating | What it means | Sounds like |
|---|---|---|
| Exceeds expectations | Sets the standard; others learn from it | "Is the person the team relies on for...", "Consistently...", "Built [thing] the team now uses" |
| Meets expectations | Solid and reliable; exactly what the role needs | "Reliably...", "Delivers... on time", "Handles... well" |
| Needs improvement | A specific gap, with a plan to close it | "Tends to..., which [impact]. The goal next quarter is..." |
"Meets expectations" is a good rating. Say so in the conversation, or people hear it as a quiet no.
Words to leave out
- Always and never. "You're always late" invites a debate about the one time they weren't.
- Personality labels. Abrasive, emotional, lazy, negative. They're hard to act on and easy to apply unevenly. Describe the behavior instead.
- Surprises. Nothing in a written review should be the first time someone hears it.
- Faint praise. "Good job this year" tells the person nothing. One specific sentence beats a paragraph of adjectives.
How someone works with people
How someone gets the work done
How someone thinks and grows
Full examples and a free tool
Get the hardest line right.
Text Lauren the situation and your draft. She'll help you make it specific and fair, and rehearse the conversation with you.
Hi Lauren! I'm writing performance reviews and want help making them specific and fair.
Lauren is a real coach. You're texting an AI trained on her coaching. Your first week is free. Cancel anytime from your account or by texting Lauren.
Frequently asked questions
What are good phrases for a performance review?
Phrases that describe a specific behavior and its effect, like "Flags risks early, giving the team time to adjust." Then add an example from the review period, with a date or a number.
How do you write a performance review for an employee?
Gather examples from the whole period, pick the three to five areas that matter most, write a behavior, example and impact line for each, add one or two goals, and plan how you'll say the hardest point out loud.
How long should a performance review be?
Long enough to cover each area with one specific example. For most roles, a short paragraph per area plus two or three goals is plenty.
Can I use these phrases word for word?
Use them as a starting point. Reviews work when they're specific, so add the project, date or number that makes each phrase true for this person.