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110 Skill-Based Examples: Self-Appraisal Comments by Employee

By Status.net Editorial Team on February 7, 2024 — 13 minutes to read

When you engage in self-appraisal, you’re taking time to reflect on your performance, strengths, and areas where you can improve. Think of it as a self-driven progress report. You get to showcase what you’ve done well and identify skills that might need a bit more attention or development.

As you write your self-appraisal, consider organizing your thoughts by skill. For example, you might assess your communication abilities, technical know-how, problem-solving skills, or teamwork capabilities. Under each, you’ll list positive aspects and then honestly point out where there’s room for growth.

Honesty in self-appraisal helps you and your supervisors understand your career trajectory and plan for any needed support or training. It’s a valuable tool for personal and professional growth.

Self-appraisal is a chance for candid self-reflection and a stepping stone to your personal and professional development. By being honest and specific in your comments, you set the stage for meaningful conversations with your supervisor and make strides toward your career objectives.

Examples of Positive Self-Appraisal Comments

Communication – I clearly articulate my thoughts during team meetings. – I listen actively to colleagues and provide thoughtful feedback. – I effectively translate complex ideas into understandable concepts. – I maintain open lines of communication with my supervisors and peers. – I use email and messaging tools proficiently to keep everyone informed.

Teamwork – I collaborate well with team members to achieve common goals. – I willingly share my expertise to help others. – I respect different viewpoints and strive for harmonious relationships. – I contribute constructively to team discussions. – I reliably fulfill my role within team projects.

Problem-Solving – I approach challenges with a positive attitude. – I apply creative thinking to generate innovative solutions. – I analyze issues thoroughly before making decisions. – I remain calm and effective under pressure. – I use a methodical approach to troubleshoot and solve problems.

Adaptability – I adjust quickly to new software and tools. – I handle unexpected shifts in workload with ease. – I readily accept changes in procedures or policies. – I demonstrate flexibility in taking on new responsibilities. – I successfully balance multiple tasks and deadlines.

Time Management – I prioritize tasks efficiently to meet deadlines. – I organize my schedule effectively to maximize productivity. – I consistently complete assignments on or ahead of schedule. – I set realistic goals and manage my workload to achieve them. – I avoid distractions and remain focused on my work.

Creativity – I propose original ideas during brainstorming sessions. – I introduce fresh perspectives that enhance projects. – I design innovative solutions to improve workflows. – I apply creativity to solve routine problems in novel ways. – I exhibit originality in my approach to my duties.

Attention to Detail – I meticulously review my work to minimize oversights and ensure quality. – I double-check data and calculations to maintain high accuracy in my reports. – I am observant of all project requirements to ensure every task is complete and up to standard. – I focus intently on complex tasks to reduce the likelihood of errors. – I pay close attention to client specifications to achieve higher satisfaction rates and deliver tailored services.

Leadership – I inspire my colleagues with my vision and dedication. – I delegate tasks effectively, playing to each team member’s strengths. – I offer guidance and support when I see teammates struggling. – I provide constructive feedback to help others grow. – I set a positive example through my work ethic and attitude.

Customer Service – I handle customer inquiries with patience and empathy. – I go above and beyond to ensure customer satisfaction. – I build strong relationships with clients through excellent service. – I address customer concerns promptly and professionally. – I anticipate customer needs and work proactively to meet them.

Technical Skills – I stay up-to-date with industry-relevant technologies. – I apply technical knowledge to optimize work efficiency. – I troubleshoot technical issues quickly. – I demonstrate proficiency in using specialized software for my role. – I share technical insights with colleagues, enhancing the team’s capabilities.

Personal Development – I actively seek feedback to improve my performance. – I embrace learning opportunities to advance my skills. – I reflect on my experiences to improve future outcomes. – I set personal goals that align with the organization’s mission. – I take initiative to learn from successes and setbacks.

Examples of Self-Appraisal Comments Indicating a Need for Improvement

Time Management – I could work on prioritizing tasks better to meet deadlines efficiently. – Managing my schedule more effectively may help me avoid last-minute rushes. – Consider setting reminders for important deadlines as a way to stay on track. – Balancing my workload could prevent instances of work spilling into personal time. – I sometimes miss deadlines; creating a to-do list might help keep me focused.

Communication – Sometimes my messages are not clear; practicing concise communication could be beneficial. – I should try to actively listen during meetings to improve my understanding of assignments. – I could work on being more open to feedback to enhance team collaboration. – Strengthening my email etiquette might improve my professional correspondence. – Enhancing my non-verbal cues can help with in-person communication clarity.

Teamwork – Regularly participating in team activities would show more commitment to group goals. – Offering help to team members could increase our collective productivity. – Understanding and aligning with team objectives can improve group dynamics. – Seeking to contribute more ideas during brainstorming sessions would be valuable. – Cultivating trust amongst the team may help with smoother project execution.

Problem-Solving – Working on developing more creative solutions to challenges would benefit the team. – Approaching problems with a positive attitude may help in finding resolutions quicker. – Increasing my adaptability can improve my response to unforeseen issues. – I could benefit from considering multiple perspectives when faced with hurdles. – Taking initiative to resolve conflicts could improve the overall team atmosphere.

Technical Skills – Regular practice might improve my proficiency with our software tools. – Staying updated with the latest industry technologies may help me perform tasks more effectively. – Participating in professional development can bolster my skillset and performance. – I could benefit from more training to enhance my technical capabilities. – Applying new strategies and tools could increase work efficiency and accuracy.

Leadership – Practicing decisiveness can make my leadership more impactful. – I may focus on improving delegation techniques for a more balanced workload. – Employing motivational strategies can inspire better team performance. – Developing stronger mentorship qualities could help in guiding junior team members. – I should cultivate the ability to provide constructive criticism to foster team growth.

Adaptability – Being more receptive to change can help with organizational transitions. – Working on how I handle unexpected situations could improve my resilience. – Becoming resourceful in times of uncertainty will be beneficial to my growth. – Practicing flexibility with my work approach could lead to more innovative outcomes. – Improving my stress management techniques might help me adapt more readily.

Creativity – I should try to incorporate fresh ideas regularly to enhance project innovation. – Experimenting with new methods could lead to more dynamic results. – Broadening my horizons can contribute to a more varied approach to problem-solving. – Sharing creative insights during meetings might spark valuable team brainstorming. – Dedicating time to explore artistic endeavors can enrich my originality.

Attention to Detail – Minimizing oversights in my work may prevent future mistakes. – Double-checking my data could ensure greater accuracy in reports. – I should be more observant regarding project requirements to ensure completeness. – Improving focus during complex tasks might reduce errors. – Paying closer attention to client specifications can lead to better satisfaction rates.

Customer Service – Enhancing my empathy can lead to better customer relations. – Developing stronger problem resolution skills could improve customer experience. – Being more patient with clients may help in understanding their needs fully. – Making an effort to exceed customer expectations can foster loyalty. – Building on my product knowledge might provide more comprehensive support.

Personal Development – I should actively seek feedback to continuously improve my performance. – Embracing learning opportunities would help me to advance my skills further. – Reflecting on my experiences could lead to improved outcomes in future projects. – Setting personal goals that align with the organization’s mission may increase my contribution to our success. – Taking initiative to learn from both successes and setbacks could enhance my professional growth.

Balancing Self-Assessment

When you’re writing self-appraisal comments, finding the right balance between recognizing your strengths and acknowledging areas for improvement is key to crafting a reflective and constructive assessment. You want to be honest about your capabilities while also showing that you understand and are proactive about your personal development.

• Positive: “I consistently communicate project updates clearly and promptly to the team, ensuring we all stay on the same page.”
• Needs Improvement: “I plan to improve in handling difficult conversations and giving constructive feedback.”
• Positive: “I have successfully met all project deadlines this quarter, effectively managing my time and prioritizing tasks.”
• Needs Improvement: “I need to enhance my ability to estimate the time for task completion better to improve scheduling accuracy.”
• Positive: “I actively contribute to team discussions and support my colleagues, which has helped us collaborate more effectively.”
• Needs Improvement: “I aim to seek more opportunities to lead projects and foster a stronger leadership presence within the team.”
• Positive: “I approach problems with a solutions-oriented mindset, which has led to several process improvements in my department.”
• Needs Improvement: “I’m working on expanding my approach to include more creative solutions to unexpected challenges.”
• Positive: “I am proficient with the latest version of our CRM software, which has increased my efficiency in managing customer data.”
• Needs Improvement: “I am dedicated to learning more about advanced data analysis tools to better contribute to our team’s strategic decisions.”

It’s important that you illustrate your self-appraisal comments with specific examples. This not only provides clarity but also demonstrates that you have a thoughtful understanding of your own work performance. While you praise your strengths, also express a willingness to address weaknesses as opportunities for growth. This balance showcases your professionalism and commitment to personal development.

What To Include in Final Comments for a Performance Appraisal

• Reflect on Achievements: Summarize key accomplishments during the appraisal period. Highlight any projects, targets, or goals you successfully met or exceeded.
• Acknowledge Challenges: Mention any challenges faced and how you overcame them. This demonstrates resilience and a willingness to tackle difficulties.
• Discuss Professional Growth: Talk about any new skills or knowledge you acquired, and how they have contributed to your professional development.
• Express Gratitude: Thank your supervisor and colleagues for their support and guidance. Acknowledging others fosters a positive work environment.
• Set Goals: Outline your goals and objectives for the next period. This shows initiative and a commitment to continuous improvement.
• Seek Opportunities: Express interest in opportunities for further growth, such as training, workshops, or new projects.
• 1. “This year has been incredibly rewarding as I was able to exceed the sales targets by 15%. I look forward to building on this success and am eager to take on new challenges that come my way.”
• 2. “I appreciate the opportunity to have worked on the (…) project, which has significantly enhanced my project management skills. Thank you for the support and I am excited about applying these skills to future projects.”
• 3. “The past year presented numerous challenges, especially with the shift to remote work. However, with the team’s support, I adapted quickly and maintained high productivity levels.”
• 4. “I am grateful for the constructive feedback provided during this appraisal. It has given me a clear understanding of where I can improve, and I am committed to working on these areas.”
• 5. “I’ve enjoyed collaborating with my colleagues this year and learning from their diverse perspectives. I believe our team efforts have resulted in some outstanding achievements.”
• 6. “Thank you for recognizing my contributions to the customer service improvements. I am passionate about this aspect of our work and look forward to enhancing our processes even further.”
• 7. “Over the past year, I have dedicated myself to professional development, completing several advanced training courses, which have already had a positive impact on my work.”
• 8. “I am thankful for the leadership opportunities I was given this year, and I am keen to continue developing my leadership skills to contribute more effectively to our team’s success.”
• 9. “I value the open communication and support provided by management, which has greatly helped in achieving my performance goals. I am looking forward to another year of growth and achievements.”
• 10. “As I reflect on the past year, I am proud of the progress we have made as a team. I remain committed to further improving my performance and supporting our collective goals.”

Actionable Steps After Self-Appraisal

After you complete your self-appraisal, identifying precise actions to take will help you improve and advance professionally. Here’s what you can do next:

• Set Specific Goals : Use the feedback you’ve given yourself to set clear, measurable goals. For instance, if you recognized a need for better time management, a goal could be, “I will break down projects into daily tasks and set deadlines for each.”
• Create an Action Plan : Write down the steps you’ll need to take to reach these goals. If you’re aiming to enhance your communication skills, you might plan to take a course or read relevant books.
• Seek Feedback : Don’t hesitate to ask for feedback from your manager or peers. They can provide vital insights that may align with or differ from your self-assessment, giving you a more rounded view of where you stand.
• Schedule Follow-Ups : Make regular checks on your progress. You might set monthly or quarterly reviews to ask yourself, “Am I closer to achieving my goals?”
• Find a Mentor or Coach : Sometimes, guidance from someone experienced in your field can be invaluable. They can offer personalized advice and strategies that you might not have considered.
• Focus on Continuous Learning : Skills can always be refined or expanded upon. Look for learning opportunities, whether that’s workshops, online courses, or conferences, to keep developing both professionally and personally.

The goal is to transform the insights from your self-appraisal into tangible improvements, so make sure your actions are directed, consistent, and monitored over time.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can i describe my personal development in self-appraisal comments.

Describing personal development is about acknowledging your growth areas and the steps you’ve taken to improve. You could say, “I recognized time management as a challenge and have implemented a new scheduling system that improved my productivity.” The key is to express a clear understanding of the skill you’ve improved and how it has made a difference.

Could you provide examples of how to comment positively on a performance review?

Yes, positive comments should reflect both your impact on the company and your commitment to your role. An example might be, “I take pride in my role and this year I’ve successfully managed 5 large projects to completion, exceeding our team’s goals.” Another would be, “My dedication to customer satisfaction is shown through my 98% positive service rating.”

What are effective teamwork-related self-appraisal comments?

For teamwork, pivot on both your ability to collaborate with others and the outcomes. A teamwork-focused comment might read, “I thrive in team settings, as demonstrated by leading our group to a successful product launch ahead of schedule.” Or, “My support in cross-departmental cooperation has boosted the efficiency of our joint projects.”

How should I frame my self-performance review goals?

When setting goals in your review, aim for clarity and a connection to the company’s objectives. You might say, “In the coming year, I aim to advance my technical skills to contribute to our team’s innovation initiatives.” Make sure your goals reflect a commitment to personal growth and align with your role and department aims.

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Presentation Skill Appraisal Comments: Crafting Self-Assessment and Performance Evaluation

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Imagine it’s that time of the year again—appraisal season. You sit down with your supervisor to discuss your performance over the past year, and one aspect that consistently comes up is your presentation skills. Whether it’s delivering updates in team meetings, pitching ideas to stakeholders, or leading training sessions, your ability to communicate effectively significantly impacts your performance review and professional growth.

Recognizing where you have excelled and how you have improved, as well as areas you need to focus on, can be instrumental in shaping your career trajectory.

As you reflect on your presentation experiences throughout the year, you realise the importance of accurately assessing your strengths and areas for improvement. After all, effective communication isn’t just about conveying information; it’s about connecting with your audience, inspiring action, and achieving desired outcomes.

Its important to know where you have improved and where you have room to be better. This can help you enhance your presentation skills to present more confidently and effectively to get your message across.

In this guide, we’ll navigate the intricacies of crafting appraisal comments for presentation skills. From acknowledging your strengths to identifying areas for growth, we’ll provide insights and sample comments to help you articulate your performance effectively during appraisal discussions. So, let’s dive into the world of presentation skill appraisal comments and empower you to excel in every presentation opportunity. Let’s get started!

Self-Assessment Scenarios

In this comprehensive section, we’ll explore various scenarios in which presentation skills play a crucial role. Each scenario offers a unique perspective on evaluating your performance and provides sample comments for effective self-evaluation. By exploring these scenarios in depth, you’ll gain valuable insights into your presentation abilities and discover actionable steps for improvement. Let’s embark on this journey of self-discovery and skill enhancement in presentation skills.

Scenario 1: Effective Communication:

Effective communication involves conveying information, engaging the audience, and articulating impactful ideas. Your performance in this area significantly influences how well your audience receives and understands your message.

“I consistently deliver presentations with clarity and precision, ensuring audience comprehension.”

“My engaging delivery style captivates the audience’s attention and maintains their interest throughout.”

“I effectively structure my presentations to guide the audience through key points and conclusions.”

“My ability to articulate complex ideas in a straightforward manner facilitates audience understanding.”

“I actively solicit feedback from peers and supervisors to refine my communication skills.”

For paragraph-length comments:

“During presentations, I strive to establish a strong connection with the audience by incorporating interactive elements and encouraging participation. By fostering a collaborative atmosphere, I ensure that the audience remains engaged and receptive to the message being conveyed. Additionally, I pay close attention to audience reactions and adjust my delivery style accordingly to maintain their interest and address any questions or concerns that may arise.”

“One of my strengths in effective communication is my skillful use of visual aids to support and reinforce key points. I carefully design slides and graphics that complement my verbal presentation, making information more accessible and memorable for the audience. By incorporating visual elements strategically, I enhance audience engagement and facilitate a deeper understanding of complex concepts.”

“In terms of structuring my presentations, I meticulously plan the flow of information to ensure coherence and logical progression. I begin with a compelling introduction to capture the audience’s attention, followed by a well-organised body that explores key ideas in depth. Finally, I conclude with a strong summary that reinforces key takeaways and leaves a lasting impression on the audience.”

“Throughout my presentations, I prioritise active listening and responsiveness to audience feedback. I encourage questions and comments, welcoming opportunities for dialogue and clarification. By being attentive to the needs and interests of the audience, I create a more interactive and engaging presentation experience that fosters collaboration and knowledge sharing.”

“As part of my commitment to continuous improvement, I actively seek out opportunities to enhance my communication skills. This includes participating in workshops, seminars, and online courses focused on presentation techniques, public speaking, and effective communication strategies. By investing in my professional development, I strive to stay abreast of industry trends and best practices while refining my abilities as a presenter.”

Scenario 2: Confidence and Presence

Confidence and presence are crucial elements that contribute to the overall effectiveness of your delivery. Your demeanour and body language can significantly impact how your message is perceived and received by the audience.

“I exude confidence and professionalism throughout my presentations, which instils trust and credibility among the audience.”

“My strong presence and authoritative demeanour command attention and respect, establishing a positive impression from the outset.”

“I remain composed and collected, even in high-pressure situations, demonstrating resilience and adaptability.”

“My confident body language, including posture, gestures, and facial expressions, reinforces the strength of my message and enhances audience engagement.”

“I project enthusiasm and passion for the topic, inspiring audience members to share in my excitement and energy.”

“Confidence is the cornerstone of my presentation style, and I make a conscious effort to cultivate it through thorough preparation and self-assurance. By rehearsing my content and visualising success beforehand, I enter each presentation with a sense of confidence and conviction that resonates with the audience. Additionally, I leverage positive affirmations and mindfulness techniques to manage any nerves or apprehensions, allowing me to deliver my message with poise and assurance.”

“Maintaining a strong presence is essential for capturing and holding the audience’s attention throughout the presentation. I approach each speaking opportunity with a sense of purpose and authority, projecting an air of confidence that immediately commands respect. Through confident body language and vocal delivery, I establish myself as a credible and trustworthy source of information, fostering a receptive atmosphere for effective communication and collaboration.”

“In moments of adversity or unexpected challenges during presentations, I rely on my resilience and adaptability to maintain control and composure. Rather than being thrown off course by disruptions or setbacks, I remain focused and composed, navigating through obstacles with grace and professionalism. By demonstrating resilience in the face of adversity, I inspire confidence and reassurance in the audience, reinforcing my credibility as a capable and reliable presenter.”

“A key aspect of projecting confidence and presence is aligning my verbal and non-verbal communication to convey authority and conviction. I pay close attention to my body language, ensuring that it reflects confidence and openness, while also maintaining strong eye contact and vocal modulation to engage the audience. By exuding confidence in both my words and actions, I create a powerful presence that captivates and inspires audience members, leaving a lasting impression long after the presentation ends.”

“As part of my commitment to personal development, I continually seek opportunities to strengthen my confidence and presence in presentations. This includes participating in public speaking workshops, receiving coaching and feedback from mentors, and actively practising techniques to enhance my stage presence. By investing in my professional growth in this area, I aim to elevate my performance as a presenter and inspire others with my confident and impactful communication style.”

Scenario 3: Audience Engagement

Audience engagement is crucial for maintaining interest, fostering interaction, and ensuring the effectiveness of your message delivery. Your skill in captivating and involving your audience directly influences their receptiveness to your ideas and the overall impact of your presentation.

“I employ interactive techniques such as polls, quizzes, and group activities to encourage audience participation and foster a collaborative atmosphere.”

“My presentations are tailored to the audience’s interests and needs, ensuring relevance and maximising engagement.”

“I actively encourage questions and feedback from the audience, promoting dialogue and exchange of ideas.”

“I use storytelling and real-life examples to make the content relatable and resonate with the audience on a personal level.”

“I gauge audience reactions and adjust my delivery dynamically to maintain engagement and address any concerns or confusion.”

“Creating a participative environment is fundamental to my approach in presentations. I design interactive elements such as polls, quizzes, and brainstorming sessions to actively involve the audience in the learning process. By inviting their contributions and perspectives, I not only enhance engagement but also foster a sense of ownership and investment in the presentation content. Additionally, I leverage group activities and discussions to promote collaboration and knowledge sharing among audience members, resulting in a more enriching and memorable experience for everyone involved.”

“Tailoring my presentations to the specific interests and needs of the audience is a key strategy for maximising engagement and relevance. Before each presentation, I conduct thorough research to understand the demographics, preferences, and knowledge level of the audience. Armed with this insight, I customise my content and delivery style to resonate with their interests and address their concerns effectively. By demonstrating empathy and catering to their unique needs, I create a more meaningful and impactful presentation experience that leaves a lasting impression on the audience.”

“Actively encouraging questions and feedback from the audience is essential for fostering dialogue and promoting an open exchange of ideas. Throughout my presentations, I create opportunities for audience members to ask questions, share insights, and provide feedback on the content. By listening attentively to their input and responding thoughtfully, I demonstrate respect for their perspectives and create a collaborative atmosphere conducive to learning and discovery. Additionally, I use audience feedback as a valuable source of insight for refining future presentations and enhancing the overall effectiveness of my communication.”

“Storytelling is a powerful tool for capturing the audience’s imagination and making the content more relatable and memorable. I incorporate relevant anecdotes, case studies, and real-life examples into my presentations to illustrate key points and connect with the audience on an emotional level. By weaving storytelling elements throughout the presentation, I create a narrative arc that engages the audience’s interest and keeps them invested in the message being conveyed. Additionally, I use storytelling as a means of humanising complex concepts and making them more accessible and understandable to a diverse audience.”

“As part of my commitment to continuous improvement, I continually seek out new strategies and techniques for enhancing audience engagement in presentations. This includes attending workshops, reading books, and studying successful speakers to learn from their experiences and incorporate best practices into my own presentations. By embracing a growth mindset and actively seeking feedback from peers and mentors, I strive to refine my skills and become a more effective and engaging presenter over time.”

Scenario 4: Presentation

A good presentation requires mastery in multiple areas to effectively convey your message and engage your audience.

“I deliver presentations with confidence and clarity, commanding attention from start to finish.”

“My presentations are well-organised, with a clear structure that guides the audience through key points seamlessly.”

“I use visual aids strategically to enhance understanding and reinforce key concepts.”

“My presentations are concise and to the point, respecting the audience’s time and attention span.”

“I effectively manage time during presentations, ensuring that all key points are covered within the allotted time frame.”

“My delivery style is engaging and dynamic, capturing the audience’s interest and maintaining their focus throughout.”

“I incorporate storytelling techniques to make the content more compelling and memorable for the audience.”

“I actively seek feedback from peers and supervisors to refine my presentation skills and delivery.”

“I adapt my presentation style to suit the needs and preferences of different audiences.”

“I continuously seek opportunities for professional development to enhance my presentation skills.”

“Delivering presentations with confidence and clarity is essential for establishing credibility and engaging the audience effectively. I approach each presentation with a sense of assurance and self-belief, projecting confidence through my body language, vocal delivery, and overall demeanour. By exuding confidence from the outset, I create a positive impression that instils trust and credibility in the audience, making them more receptive to the message being conveyed.”

“Organising presentations in a clear and logical manner is key to ensuring that the audience can follow along and grasp the main ideas effectively. I begin by outlining the objectives and structure of the presentation, providing a roadmap that guides the audience through the content. Each section is carefully sequenced to build upon the previous one, leading to a cohesive and comprehensive presentation experience. By maintaining a clear and organised structure, I facilitate understanding and retention of key information among the audience.”

“Using visual aids strategically enhances the effectiveness of presentations by providing visual reinforcement and aiding comprehension. I design slides and graphics that complement the verbal presentation, using visuals to illustrate key points, data, and concepts. Visual aids are used sparingly and purposefully, avoiding clutter and distractions while maximising impact and clarity. By incorporating visual elements thoughtfully, I enhance audience engagement and retention of information.”

“Respecting the audience’s time and attention span is crucial when delivering presentations. I strive to keep my presentations concise and focused, distilling complex ideas into clear and digestible chunks. Unnecessary information is eliminated, and only the most relevant and impactful content is included. By respecting the audience’s time constraints, I ensure that they remain engaged and attentive throughout the presentation, maximising the impact and effectiveness of the message.”

“Effective time management is paramount during presentations to ensure that all key points are covered within the allotted time frame. I carefully plan and rehearse the timing of each section, allowing sufficient time for introduction, content delivery, and conclusion. During the presentation, I monitor the time closely and make adjustments as needed to stay on track. By managing time effectively, I demonstrate professionalism and consideration for the audience’s time, ensuring a smooth and efficient presentation experience.”

“Engaging the audience through dynamic delivery is essential for capturing and maintaining their interest throughout the presentation. I vary my delivery style to include elements such as storytelling, humour, and audience interaction, keeping the presentation lively and engaging. Additionally, I pay attention to verbal and non-verbal cues from the audience, adjusting my delivery accordingly to maintain engagement and address any questions or concerns that may arise.”

“Storytelling is a powerful technique for making presentations more compelling and memorable. I incorporate storytelling elements into my presentations to create emotional connections with the audience and bring key concepts to life. By weaving narratives, anecdotes, and real-life examples throughout the presentation, I make the content more relatable and engaging, leaving a lasting impression on the audience.”

“Seeking feedback from peers and supervisors is invaluable for refining presentation skills and improving delivery. I actively solicit constructive criticism and input from others, welcoming their perspectives and suggestions for improvement. By incorporating feedback into my practice and presentations, I continually strive to enhance my skills and deliver more effective presentations in the future.”

“Adapting presentation style to suit the needs and preferences of different audiences is essential for maximising impact and engagement. I tailor my approach based on factors such as audience demographics, cultural considerations, and topic relevance, ensuring that the presentation resonates with the specific audience. By demonstrating flexibility and adaptability in my presentation style, I create a more personalised and impactful experience for the audience.”

“Committing to ongoing professional development is key to staying current and continuously improving presentation skills. I actively seek out opportunities for learning and growth, such as attending workshops, seminars, and online courses focused on presentation techniques and public speaking. By investing in my development and honing my skills, I strive to become a more confident, effective, and influential presenter.”

Importance Of Self-Appraisal

Self-appraisal is a valuable tool for self-improvement and career advancement. It provides an opportunity to celebrate your achievements and strategize on ways to enhance your skills and capabilities. By reflecting on your performance, you can discover your strengths and recognise opportunities for growth, fostering a positive outlook on your professional journey.

How To Conduct An Effective Self-Appraisal

Celebrate Your Successes: Start by acknowledging your accomplishments. This positive affirmation sets a constructive tone for your self-assessment and boosts your confidence.

Identify Opportunities for Growth: Instead of focusing on weaknesses, frame challenges as opportunities. This perspective encourages a proactive approach to personal and professional development.

Set Achievable Goals: Establish clear, attainable objectives for the future. Setting realistic goals makes the process of striving towards them more engaging and less daunting.

Develop a Constructive Plan: Create a plan that leverages your strengths and addresses areas you want to improve. Include specific steps and resources that will help you achieve your goals.

Engage with Supporters: Share your insights and plans with a mentor or peers who can provide encouragement and constructive feedback. This support network can motivate you and offer valuable perspectives.

By regularly conducting self-appraisals, you empower yourself to recognise your achievements and continuously strive towards personal excellence. This process not only enhances your professional capabilities but also contributes to a more fulfilling and optimistic career path.

Conclusion: Presentation Skill Appraisal Comments

Mastering presentation skills is a pivotal asset that can propel individuals towards success in various spheres of their careers. By using these presentation skill appraisal comments , individuals can conduct thorough self-assessments, identify areas of strength, and pinpoint growth opportunities. Whether it’s acknowledging skilled delivery techniques, recognising adept audience interaction, or outlining strategies for improvement, these comments serve as invaluable tools for fostering professional development and career advancement.

By Rishabh Bhandari

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Blog Human Resources 13+ Performance Appraisal Examples & Phrases

13+ Performance Appraisal Examples & Phrases

Written by: Jennifer Gaskin Nov 22, 2022

If you’re anything like me, one of the hardest parts about being in management is putting together performance appraisals or annual reviews. Even when I knew colleagues were performing well and I was excited to tell them about a raise, the work that goes into crafting a useful appraisal can be a lot.

That’s why appraisal examples and review templates are so useful. They help inspire your feedback and give you a head start.

So, let’s take a look at some appraisal examples, along with phrases you can use to write your next performance review. I’ll also touch on how you can use Venngage’s Online Performance Review Generator and HR templates to quickly and easily assemble a review that will set your employees up for success.

Click to jump ahead:

Appraisal and review phrases

Performance appraisal examples, self-appraisal examples, manager appraisal examples, employee appraisal examples, senior manager self-appraisal examples.

• Performance appraisal FAQs

For me, the biggest difficulty in putting together appraisals, assessments and reviews was finding exactly the right words to say to get my point across — and I’m a professional writer — so chances are this is also a struggle for you.

Here are some phrases that may work depending on your end goals. But remember, you should always add specifics. So if you’re praising someone’s strength under fire, give a specific example of when they did that.

• Highly organized and excellent at time management.
• Collaborative with others and available to assist when needed.
• Not easily frustrated when faced with a hurdle or setback.
• Accepts constructive criticism and strives to improve performance.
• Asks questions to clarify or resolve issues before they become major problems.
• Develops innovative solutions to problems and works to avoid issues in the first place.

Needs improvement

• Unable to adapt to change or embrace new tasks, technology or processes.
• Unwilling to provide assistance to others who may be struggling.
• Interrupts during meetings or ignores teammates when they are speaking.
• Struggles to deliver work on time and to expected level of quality.
• Fails to communicate or ask for assistance when it’s needed.
• Refuses to cooperate with requests from other departments.

Looking for more performance review phrases? Check out the section on useful performance review phrases here .

According to Gallup, traditional methods of giving feedback are so useless they may make employees’ performance worse rather than improving it. In fact, this happens about one-third of the time, Gallup estimates .

How can you avoid that? By following these performance appraisal examples.

Update this basic template with the competencies your employees must have and then use it as a performance appraisal tool by assigning a value from 1-4, depending on how well they’re doing in each area. This performance appraisal example was designed for both quarterly and annual evaluations, so it’s quite versatile.

Make your quarterly performance reviews visually engaging by using this template, which relies on some eye-catching pie charts and lets you assign a numerical value to your employees’ performance appraisal.

Not every example of poor performance needs to be an emergency. Use this performance matrix to establish some parameters and step in only when an individual’s performance reaches the intervention area of the matrix.

Using visuals for performance management can help take advantage of the brain’s natural inclination toward visual communication. Read all about this approach in our guide to effective performance management through visual comminucation.

Not every company uses self-appraisals as part of their formal or informal feedback process. But for good managers, having their employees fill this out can be helpful, provided some ground rules are established.

For example, if you’re using self-appraisals as part of an annual review, you must make clear to the individual that their own assessment likely won’t be part of their formal record kept by HR. That said, self-appraisals can be a valuable tool for understanding the areas where team members feel strongest and weakest.

This annual self-evaluation template gives employees a chance to not only talk about their past year’s performance, but to look ahead. Yes, the annual review period is mostly about summing up the past year and giving out raises, but it can also be a time to reflect on where you want to go, not just where you’ve been.

And from a business perspective, helping your employees develop new skills could even make them stay with your company longer.

Venngage makes it easy to customize templates and turn them into exactly what you need. Update the colors, fonts and questions on this self-assessment to make it perfect for your organization, and make unique ones for each department or job.

Make sure you and your team members are on the same page with this self-assessment form. Have each of your team members rate their performance in each job-related activity as well as their opinion about how important the task is to their overall performance.

Ultimately, in most organizations, it’s the manager’s assessment of performance that really matters, so most performance appraisal and review templates will fall into this category. It’s easy to customize these templates for your specific organization and its unique needs. (Make sure the forms you use are cleared by your HR team .)

What you say and how you rate your employees should not come as a total shock to them, as you should be providing them with regular formal and informal feedback. If you’re doing it well, then a manager appraisal like this one could simply be a formality or something they can look back on to chart their progress.

Give your employees quarterly feedback with this simple appraisal template. Update the specific areas you’ll be assessing as needed, but remember that even when an employee is having a tough time, being overly negative can be counterproductive.

One thing I really like about this particular template is that it forces the manager to find positivity.

Encourage some healthy rivalry within your department by using this microlearning infographic as an appraisal tool. Have your employees compete with each other to see how many new systems or tasks they can learn, or make it altruistic by having them tally up their volunteer time each month to see how they’re giving back to the community.

Employee appraisals don’t necessarily have to tie directly to performance or the annual review period. Check out these general employee appraisal examples to see if they could apply for you.

Employee evaluations shouldn’t just talk about a person’s specific job duties and whether they did them well enough. Soft skills and interpersonal relations are also important when it comes to job success, so consider a template like this one that has space for all those factors.

Take a unique approach to employee appraisals by creating a matrix-style evaluation for each of your team members. This type of visualization establishes at a glance where the person ranks when it comes to their performance in various tasks.

This simple quarterly performance review is an excellent way to give regular feedback outside of the annual evaluation structure. And because it’s in a gray color palette, it should be easier on your office printer.

A company’s expectations of those in management roles will be different from what’s expected of lower-level employees, so consider using these senior manager self-appraisal templates for those in high-level roles.

Not everyone is cut out for a leadership role, but you can help ambitious employees understand what’s expected of senior managers in your organization with this leadership readiness checklist. Simply customize the statements (and the math at the end) to make them relevant for your organization and help you find the cream of the crop.

Just because someone hasn’t formally been in a management role, doesn’t mean they haven’t done the sorts of tasks managers do. When considering someone for a promotion, have them fill out this senior manager self-appraisal to find out what experience they have with the specific tasks you need done by your managers.

Leadership styles vary from person to person, and there are times when each leadership style may be appropriate. Share this infographic with those you’re considering for management roles and have conversations about which styles feel natural to them.

Performance appraisal FAQ

What should i write in my appraisal.

A good employee appraisal is direct, honest, constructive — and above all, not personal. Remember that writing a performance appraisal is about getting the best work possible from each person, and so what you write should be geared toward each individual. Consider not only how they’re performing, but what types of feedback they’ve responded to in the past.

How do I write sample appraisal comments for myself?

Self-assessments are difficult. Many people have a tough time tooting their own horn. As a general rule of thumb, keep your appraisal comments positive, but not overly so. Be honest and constructively critical with yourself, but strive to be future-looking to give your employer a sense of your career or personal ambitions.

Performance appraisals can help motivate your team and correct poor work

Remember to tailor your appraisals to each individual. This is your chance to provide specific, constructive feedback to help your team members grow and improve. So though formal appraisals can be tricky, they’re an important part of running a business.

And remember, if you’re short on time or not sure where to start, Venngage offers many performance appraisal templates to give you a running start.

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Home Blog Education Presentation Skills 101: A Guide to Presentation Success

Presentation Skills 101: A Guide to Presentation Success

Getting the perfect presentation design is just a step toward a successful presentation. For the experienced user, building presentation skills is the answer to elevating the power of your message and showing expertise on any subject. Still, one can ask: is it the same set of skills, or are they dependable on the type of presentation?

In this article, we will introduce the different types of presentations accompanied by the skillset required to master them. The purpose, as always, is to retain the audience’s interest for a long-lasting and convincing message.

Table of Contents

The Importance of Presentation Skills

Persuasive presentations, instructional presentations, informative presentations, inspirational presentations, basic presentation skills, what are the main difficulties when giving a presentation, recommendations to improve your presentation skills, closing statement.

Effective communication is the answer to reaching business and academic goals. The scenarios in which we can be required to deliver a presentation are as diverse as one can imagine. Still, some core concepts apply to all presentations.

 We define presentation skills as a compendium of soft skills that directly affect your presentation performance and contribute to creating a great presentation. These are not qualities acquired by birth but skills you ought to train and master to delve into professional environments.

You may ask: is it really that evident when a presenter is not prepared? Here are some common signs people can experience during presentations:

• Evasive body language: Not making eye contact with the audience, arms closed tightly to the body, hands in pockets all the time.
• Lack of interest in the presenter’s voice: dull tone, not putting an effort to articulate the topics.
• Doubting when asked to answer a question
• Irksome mood

The list can go on about common presenter mistakes , and most certainly, it will affect the performance of any presented data if the lack of interest by the presenter is blatantly obvious.  Another element to consider is anxiety, and according to research by the National Institute of Mental Health, 73% of the population in the USA is affected by glossophobia , which is the fear of public speaking, judgment, or negative evaluation by other people.

Therefore, presentation skills training is essential for any business professional who wants to achieve effective communication . It will remove the anxiety from presentation performance and help users effectively deliver their message and connect with the audience.

Archetypes of presentations

Persuasive presentations aim to convince the audience – often in short periods – to acquire a product or service, adhere to a cause, or invest in a company. For business entrepreneurs or politicians, persuasive presentations are their tool for the trade.

Unless you aim to be perceived as an imposter, a proper persuasive presentation has the elements of facts, empathy, and logic, balanced under a well-crafted narrative. The central pillar of these presentations is to identify the single factor that gathered your audience: it could be a market need, a social cause, or a revolutionary concept for today’s society. It has to be something with enough power to gather critiques – both good and bad.

That single factor has to be backed up by facts. Research that builds your hypothesis on how to solve that problem. A deep understanding of the target audience’s needs , concerns, and social position regarding the solution your means can offer. When those elements are in place, building a pitch becomes an easy task. 

Graphics can help you introduce information in a compelling format, lowering the need for lengthy presentations. Good presentation skills for persuasive presentations go by the hand of filtering relevant data and creating the visual cues that resonate with what your audience demands.

One powerful example of a persuasive presentation is the technique known as the elevator pitch . You must introduce your idea or product convincingly to the audience in a timeframe between 30 seconds and less than 2 minutes. You have to expose:

• What do you do 
• What’s the problem to solve
• Why is your solution different from others 
• Why should the audience care about your expertise

For that very purpose, using engaging graphics with contrasting colors elevates the potential power of your message. It speaks professionalism, care for details, and out-of-the-box thinking. Knowing how to end a presentation is also critical, as your CTAs should be placed with care.

Therefore, let’s resume the requirements of persuasive presentations in terms of good presentation skills:

• Identifying problems and needs
• Elaborating “the hook” (the element that grabs the audience’s attention)
• Knowing how to “tie” your audience (introducing a piece of information related to the hook that causes an emotional impact)
• Broad knowledge of body language and hand gestures to quickly convey your message
• Being prepared to argue a defense of your point of view
• Handling rejection
• Having a proactive attitude to convert opportunities into new projects
• Using humor, surprise, or personal anecdotes as elements to sympathize with the audience
• Having confidence
• Be able to summarize facts and information in visually appealing ways

You can learn more about persuasive presentation techniques by clicking here .

In the case of instructional presentations, we ought to differentiate two distinctive types:

• Lecture Presentations : Presentations being held at universities or any other educative institution. Those presentations cover, topic by topic, and the contents of a syllabus and are created by the team of teachers in charge of the course.
• Training Presentations : These presentations take place during in-company training sessions and usually comprise a good amount of content that is resumed into easy-to-take solutions. They are aimed to coach employees over certain topics relevant to their work performance. The 70-20-10 Model is frequently used to address these training situations.

Lecture presentations appeal to the gradual introduction of complex concepts, following a structure set in the course’s syllabus. These presentations often have a similar aesthetic as a group of professors or researchers created to share their knowledge about a topic. Personal experience does tell that course presentations often rely on factual data, adequately documented, and on the theoretical side.

An example of a presentation that lies under this concept is a Syllabus Presentation, used by the teaching team to introduce the subject to new students, evaluation methods, concepts to be learned, and expectations to pass the course.

On the other hand, training presentations are slide decks designed to meet an organization’s specific needs in the formal education of their personnel. Commonly known as “continuous education,” plenty of companies invest resources in coaching their employees to achieve higher performance results. These presentations have the trademark of being concise since their idea is to introduce the concepts that shall be applied in practice sessions. 

Ideally, the training presentations are introduced with little text and easy-to-recognize visual cues. Since the idea is to summarize as much as possible, these are visually appealing for the audience. They must be dynamic enough to allow the presenter to convey the message.

Those key takeaways remind employees when they revisit their learning resources and allow them to ruminate on questions that fellow workers raise. 

To sum up this point, building presentation skills for instructional presentations requires:

• Ability to put complex concepts into simpler words
• Patience and a constant learning mindset
• Voice training to deliver lengthy speeches without being too dense
• Ability to summarize points and note the key takeaways
• Empathizing with the audience to understand their challenges in the learning process

The informative presentations take place in business situations, such as when to present project reports from different departments to the management. Another potential usage of these presentations is in SCRUM or other Agile methodologies, when a sprint is completed, to discuss the advance of the project with the Product Owner.

As they are presentations heavily dependent on data insights, it’s common to see the usage of infographics and charts to express usually dense data in simpler terms and easy to remember. 

Informative presentations don’t just fall into the business category. Ph.D. Dissertation and Thesis presentations are topics that belong to the informative presentations category as they condense countless research hours into manageable reports for the academic jury. 

Since these informational presentations can be perceived as lengthy and data-filled, it is important to learn the following professional presentation skills:

• Attention to detail
• Be able to explain complex information in simpler terms
• Creative thinking
• Powerful diction
• Working on pauses and transitions
• Pacing the presentation, so not too much information is divulged per slide

The leading inspirational platform, TEDx, comes to mind when talking about inspirational presentations. This presentation format has the peculiarity of maximizing the engagement with the audience to divulge a message, and due to that, it has specific requirements any presenter must meet.

This presentation format usually involves a speaker on a stage, either sitting or better standing, in which the presenter engages with the audience with a storytelling format about a life experience, a job done that provided a remarkable improvement for society, etc.

Empathizing with the audience is the key ingredient for these inspirational presentations. Still, creativity is what shapes the outcome of your performance as people are constantly looking for different experiences – not the same recipe rephrased with personal touches. The human factor is what matters here, way above data and research. What has your experience to offer to others? How can it motivate another human being to pursue a similar path or discover their true calling?

To achieve success in terms of communication skills presentation, these inspirational presentations have the following requirements:

• Focus on the audience (engage, consider their interests, and make them a part of your story)
• Putting ego aside
• Creative communication skills
• Storytelling skills
• Body language knowledge to apply the correct gestures to accompany your story
• Voice training
• Using powerful words

After discussing the different kinds of presentations we can come across at any stage of our lives, a group of presentation skills is standard in any type of presentation. See below what makes a good presentation and which skills you must count on to succeed as a presenter.

Punctuality

Punctuality is a crucial aspect of giving an effective presentation. Nothing says more about respect for your audience and the organization you represent than delivering the presentation on time . Arriving last minute puts pressure on the tech team behind audiovisuals, as they don’t have enough preparation to test microphones, stage lights, and projector settings, which can lead to a less powerful presentation Even when discussing presentations hosted in small rooms for a reduced audience, testing the equipment becomes essential for an effective presentation.

A solution for this is to arrive at least 30 minutes early. Ideally, one hour is a sweet spot since the AV crew has time to check the gear and requirements for your presentation. Another benefit of this, for example, in inspirational presentations, is measuring the previous presenter’s impact on the audience. This gives insights about how to resonate with the public, and their interest, and how to accommodate your presentation for maximum impact.

Body Language

Our bodies can make emotions transparent for others, even when we are unaware of such a fact. Proper training for body language skills reduces performance anxiety, giving the audience a sense of expertise about the presented topic. 

Give your presentation and the audience the respect they deserve by watching over these potential mistakes:

• Turning your back to the audience for extended periods : It’s okay to do so when introducing an important piece of information or explaining a graph, but it is considered rude to give your back to the audience constantly.
• Fidgeting : We are all nervous in the presence of strangers, even more, if we are the center of attention for that moment. Instead of playing with your hair or making weird hand gestures, take a deep breath to center yourself before the presentation and remember that everything you could do to prepare is already done. Trust your instincts and give your best.
• Intense eye contact : Have you watched a video where the presenter stared at the camera the entire time? That’s the feeling you transmit to spectators through intense eye contact. It’s a practice often used by politicians to persuade.
• Swearing : This is a no-brainer. Even when you see influencers swearing on camera or in podcasts or live presentations, it is considered an informal and lousy practice for business and academic situations. If you have a habit to break when it comes to this point, find the humor in these situations and replace your swear words with funny alternatives (if the presentation allows for it). 

Voice Tone plays a crucial role in delivering effective presentations and knowing how to give a good presentation. Your voice is a powerful tool for exposing your ideas and feelings . Your voice can articulate the message you are telling, briefing the audience if you feel excited about what you are sharing or, in contrast, if you feel the presentation is a burden you ought to complete.

Remember, passion is a primary ingredient in convincing people. Therefore, transmitting such passion with a vibrant voice may help gather potential business partners’ interest.  

But what if you feel sick prior to the presentation? If, by chance, your throat is sore minutes before setting foot on the stage, try this: when introducing yourself, mention that you are feeling a bit under the weather. This resonates with the audience to pay more attention to your efforts. In case you don’t feel comfortable about that, ask the organizers for a cup of tea, as it will settle your throat and relax your nerves.

Tech Skills

Believe it or not, people still feel challenged by technology these days. Maybe that’s the reason why presentation giants like Tony Robbins opt not to use PowerPoint presentations . The reality is that there are plenty of elements involved in a presentation that can go wrong from the tech side:

• A PDF not opening
• Saving your presentation in a too-recent PowerPoint version
• A computer not booting up
• Mac laptops and their never-ending compatibility nightmare
• Not knowing how to change between slides
• Not knowing how to use a laser pointer
• Internet not working
• Audio not working

We can come up with a pretty long list of potential tech pitfalls, and yet more than half of them fall in presenters not being knowledgeable about technology.

If computers aren’t your thing, let the organization know about this beforehand. There is always a crew member available to help presenters switch between slides or configure the presentation for streaming. This takes the pressure off your shoulders, allowing you to concentrate on the content to present. Remember, even Bill Gates can get a BSOD during a presentation .

Presentations, while valuable for conveying information and ideas, can be daunting for many individuals. Here are some common difficulties people encounter when giving presentations:

Public Speaking Anxiety

Glossophobia, the fear of public speaking, affects a significant portion of the population. This anxiety can lead to nervousness, trembling, and forgetfulness during a presentation.

Lack of Confidence

Many presenters struggle with self-doubt, fearing that they may not be knowledgeable or skilled enough to engage their audience effectively.

Content Organization

Organizing information in a coherent and engaging manner can be challenging. Presenters often grapple with how to structure their content to make it easily digestible for the audience. Artificial Intelligence can help us significantly reduce the content arrangement time when you work with tools like our AI Presentation Maker (made for presenters by experts in presentation design). 

Audience Engagement

Keeping the audience’s attention and interest throughout the presentation can be difficult. Distractions, disengaged attendees, or lack of interaction can pose challenges.

Technical Issues

Technology glitches, such as malfunctioning equipment, incompatible file formats, or poor internet connectivity, can disrupt presentations and increase stress.

Time Management

Striking the right balance between providing enough information and staying within time limits is a common challenge. Going over or under the allotted time can affect the effectiveness of the presentation.

Handling Questions and Challenges

Responding to unexpected questions, criticism, or challenges from the audience can be difficult, especially when presenters are unprepared or lack confidence in their subject matter.

Visual Aids and Technology

Creating and effectively using visual aids like slides or multimedia can be a struggle for some presenters. Technical competence is essential in this aspect.

Language and Articulation

Poor language skills or unclear articulation can hinder effective communication. Presenters may worry about stumbling over words or failing to convey their message clearly.

Maintaining appropriate and confident body language can be challenging. Avoiding nervous habits, maintaining eye contact, and using gestures effectively requires practice.

Overcoming Impersonal Delivery

In virtual presentations, maintaining a personal connection with the audience can be difficult. The absence of face-to-face interaction can make it challenging to engage and read the audience.

Cultural and Diversity Awareness

Presenting to diverse audiences requires sensitivity to cultural differences and varying levels of familiarity with the topic.

In this section, we gathered some tips on how to improve presentation skills that can certainly make an impact if applied to your presentation skills. We believe these skills can be cultivated to transform into habits for your work routine.

Tip #1: Build a narrative

One memorable way to guarantee presentation success is by writing a story of all the points you desire to cover. This statement is based on the logic behind storytelling and its power to connect with people .

Don’t waste time memorizing slides or reading your presentation to the audience. It feels unnatural, and any question that diverts from the topic in discussion certainly puts you in jeopardy or, worse, exposes you as a fraud in the eyes of the audience. And before you ask, it is really evident when a presenter has a memorized speech. 

Build and rehearse the presentation as if telling a story to a group of interested people. Lower the language barrier by avoiding complex terms that maybe even you aren’t fully aware of their meaning. Consider the ramifications of that story, what it could lead to, and which are the opportunities to explore. Then, visualize yourself giving the presentation in a natural way.

Applying this technique makes the presentation feel like second nature to you. It broadens the spectrum in which you can show expertise over a topic or even build the basis for new interesting points of view about the project.

Tip #2: Don’t talk for more than 3 minutes per slide

It is a common practice of presenters to bombard the audience with facts and information whilst retaining the same slide on the screen. Why can this happen? It could be because the presenter condensed the talk into very few slides and preferred to talk. The reality is that your spectators won’t retain the information you are giving unless you give visual cues to help that process. 

Opt to prepare more slides and pace your speech to match the topics shown on each slide. Don’t spend more than 3 minutes per slide unless you have to introduce a complex piece of data. Use visual cues to direct the spectators about what you talk about, and summarize the principal concepts discussed at the end of each section.

Tip #3: Practice meditation daily

Anxiety is the number one enemy of professional presenters. It slowly builds without you being aware of your doubts and can hinder your performance in multiple ways: making you feel paralyzed, fidgeting, making you forget language skills or concepts, affecting your health, etc.

Meditation is an ancient practice taken from Buddhist teachings that train your mind to be here in the present. We often see the concepts of meditation and mindfulness as synonyms, whereas you should be aware that meditation is a practice that sets the blocks to reach a state of mindfulness. For presenters, being in the here and now is essential to retain focus, but meditation techniques also teach us to control our breathing and be in touch with our body signals when stress builds up. 

The customary practice of meditation has an impact on imagination and creativity but also helps to build patience – a skill much needed for connecting with your audience in instructional presentations.

Having the proper set of presentation skills can be quite subjective. It goes beyond presentation tips and deepens into how flexible we can be in our ability to communicate ideas.

Different presentations and different audiences shape the outcome of our efforts. Therefore, having a basic understanding of how to connect, raise awareness, and empathize with people can be key ingredients for your career as a presenter. A word of advice: success doesn’t happen overnight. It takes dedication and patience to build communication skills . Don’t condition your work to believe you will be ready “someday”; it’s best to practice and experience failure as part of the learning process.

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Business Presentations, Presentation Approaches, Presentation Skills Filed under Education

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• Performance Appraisal: The Ultimate Guide...

Performance Appraisal: The Ultimate Guide

What is a performance appraisal?

What is job performance? Job performance is the degree to which an employee fulfills the tasks of their job description. This includes achieving objectives and meeting performance criteria, and is also known as in-role performance. Employees can also help their organization through behaviors that are not directly related to their task functions such as helping colleagues and contributing to the organization beyond job duties. This is called extra-role performance, contextual performance, or organizational citizenship behaviors. In assessing performance, both in-role and extra-role behaviors should be considered.

What is the difference between performance management and performance appraisals?

What is the purpose of a performance appraisal?

• Identifying how each employee can improve in their role – Employees may need additional skills to perform better at their job, which they can gain through targeted training . In other cases, updated equipment or software might be necessary. A performance appraisal helps determine and document these needs.
• Identifying strengths and opportunities for improvement within departments and the company – What are departments lacking? For example, do they need additional staffing, more equipment, or a larger budget to perform at an optimal level? 
• Determining how to best allocate rewards, promotions, and resources – Performance appraisals help you figure out which employees are most deserving of rewards and promotions. What’s more, an analysis of performance appraisals tells you which employees and departments would benefit from which available resources.
• Obtaining documentation on employee performance – Promotion, disciplinary action , and termination decisions are never easy. Formalized performance appraisals provide documentation for making objective and defendable future decisions based on pre-determined criteria.
• Have the tools to set future performance goals – The goals and benchmarks your company is achieving now are a good indication of what goals to set in the future and at what pace your business can achieve them.

Why are performance appraisals important?

• Facilitating employee growth and advancement – Performance appraisals allow employees to identify career advancement opportunities within the company and the pathways to reach the next level.
• Strengthening employee engagement and retention – Receiving constructive feedback and seeing opportunities for growth within the organization helps keep employees engaged. It also motivates them to stay on board longer.
• Closing skills gaps and boosting organizational performance – By identifying opportunities for improvement, setting goals, and creating plans for employee growth, organizations can close skills gaps, prepare for the future, and gain a competitive advantage. “It is important that managers understand the connection between high-quality performance data and regular feedback to both individual and organizational success,” notes Grace Ewles, Manager of HR Research & Advisory Services at McLean & Company .
• Improving communication – This is an opportunity to routinely discuss performance, goals, and expectations, which ensures employees and managers are on the same page and aligned with the company’s goals.  
• Creating accountability – Setting clear expectations for employees in a formalized setting helps create accountability to meet those expectations. 
• Fair and transparent decision-making – A well-structured performance appraisal process provides a standardized and consistent approach to evaluating employee performance, which can support fair decision-making and reduce bias.

Performance appraisal methods

1. management by objectives (mbo) .

• Pros: Employees appreciate being a part of the process, goals are more realistic because collaboration between managers and employees takes place, and it is easier to measure quantitative and qualitative data.
• Cons : A strong focus on the objectives might translate into ignoring other parts of work, like employee conduct and organizational culture. It’s also time-consuming to implement and execute.

2. 360-degree feedback

• Pros: Helps improve communication and performance and is an excellent leadership development tool.
• Cons: Obtaining feedback may be difficult. There’s often a lack of follow-up and insufficient alignment with the company strategy.

3. Peer review 

• Pros: Peers best understand an employee’s strengths and weaknesses
• Cons: Personal feelings may interfere with objective feedback

4. Behaviorally Anchored Rating Scale (BARS)

• Pros : Clear standards, consistent, impartial, and easy-to-use once implemented.
• Cons : Expensive, time-consuming, and complex to develop and implement.

5. Graphic Rating Scale

• Pros : Easy-to-use, quantifiable, and cost-effective.
• Cons: Subjective, difficult to weigh which traits are worth more than others.

5 tips for a good performance appraisal process

1. create a clear outline for the performance appraisal meetings.

“Another reason performance appraisals feel so stressful is because they may be explicitly linked to pay increases and other incentives. In my view, this is a mistake. Psychologically, tying the appraisal to money can destroy the employee’s intrinsic motivation to perform at a high level. It may also create feelings of unfairness, as the manager’s vague perceptions are used to justify granting or denial of an incentive,” notes Joel Trammell, Founder and CEO of Manager360 , a manager development and software company. “A better approach is to use performance appraisals to discuss the outcomes of the employee’s goals, offer feedback, and coach them on topics they care about. Separately, the manager can discuss pay raises and bonuses, which should be tied to fair market rates for the role being performed.”

2. Involve the employees as much as possible

3. Encourage managers to adapt their communication style

4. ensure more feedback to drive performance.

• 1-on-1 conversations – In this approach, managers commit to checking in with employees at least weekly to provide (and receive) feedback.
• Department meetings – Managers hold weekly or monthly meetings to discuss the performance of the team and provide constructive feedback.
• Emails – Although less personal, weekly or monthly emails can be sent to the team as a whole or to individual employees detailing their strengths and areas of needed improvement.
• Performance appraisal apps – Performance appraisal apps are an excellent way for managers to easily conduct performance appraisals and provide feedback to their employees. There are standalone appraisal systems, as well as platforms that are part of bigger, cloud-based, performance management solutions.

“The performance appraisal process, as most employees know it, needs to shift from evaluating past performance to guiding future career opportunities. Preparing managers to become excellent career coaches is the best way HR can support the performance appraisal process. If the process is well designed, the performance appraisal should be about helping employees find the career pathways that best aligned with their personals interests and with what the company needs.” Cecilia Laube , Organizational Development, Design, and Effectiveness Expert

5. Meticulously document your employee performance appraisal sessions

How to create a performance appraisal form.

Define competencies

• Core competencies
• Job-specific competencies

Job performance & job behavior scales

• Employee achieves the objectives of the job
• Employee meets the criteria for performance
• Employee fulfills all the requirements of the job
• Employee helps other employees with their work when they have been absent.
• Employee helps others when their workload increases (assists others until they get over the hurdles)
• Employee volunteers to do things not formally required by the job

“Performance management processes should be based on the job role, not the person. And how the person is meeting the requirements of the job – not how the manager feels about the person. Clarifying the purpose and criteria of the performance management process from its inception helps develop trust in the process.” Eric Mochnacz , Director of Operations at Red Clover HR

Performance appraisal examples

Punctuality.

• Positive: Employee consistently arrives to work on time, turns in all projects before or on the deadline, and attends all required meetings promptly. 
• Negative: Employee is often late arriving to work and often turns in projects past the deadline.

Accountability

• Positive: Whether the outcome is good or bad, the employee always steps up and accepts responsibility for their part in the project. 
• Negative: Employee fails to take responsibility for their actions. They tend to place blame elsewhere.

Communication

• Positive: Employee has excellent communication skills. They always ensure everyone is on the same page before leaving a conversation.
• Negative: Employee has poor communication skills. Fellow peers and customers often have trouble understanding the intended message, and confusion ensues.

Learn more:

• What Is Performance Management? The Complete Guide
• A Guide to the Performance Management Cycle
• Agile Performance Management: An HR’s Guide
• 5 Tips to Ace Your Employee Performance Management Process
• Talent Management: 10 Tips for a Successful Strategy

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Powerful and Effective Presentation Skills: More in Demand Now Than Ever

When we talk with our L&D colleagues from around the globe, we often hear that presentation skills training is one of the top opportunities they’re looking to provide their learners. And this holds true whether their learners are individual contributors, people managers, or senior leaders. This is not surprising.

Effective communications skills are a powerful career activator, and most of us are called upon to communicate in some type of formal presentation mode at some point along the way.

For instance, you might be asked to brief management on market research results, walk your team through a new process, lay out the new budget, or explain a new product to a client or prospect. Or you may want to build support for a new idea, bring a new employee into the fold, or even just present your achievements to your manager during your performance review.

And now, with so many employees working from home or in hybrid mode, and business travel in decline, there’s a growing need to find new ways to make effective presentations when the audience may be fully virtual or a combination of in person and remote attendees.

Whether you’re making a standup presentation to a large live audience, or a sit-down one-on-one, whether you’re delivering your presentation face to face or virtually, solid presentation skills matter.

Even the most seasoned and accomplished presenters may need to fine-tune or update their skills. Expectations have changed over the last decade or so. Yesterday’s PowerPoint which primarily relied on bulleted points, broken up by the occasional clip-art image, won’t cut it with today’s audience.

The digital revolution has revolutionized the way people want to receive information. People expect presentations that are more visually interesting. They expect to see data, metrics that support assertions. And now, with so many previously in-person meetings occurring virtually, there’s an entirely new level of technical preparedness required.

The leadership development tools and the individual learning opportunities you’re providing should include presentation skills training that covers both the evergreen fundamentals and the up-to-date capabilities that can make or break a presentation.

So, just what should be included in solid presentation skills training? Here’s what I think.

The fundamentals will always apply When it comes to making a powerful and effective presentation, the fundamentals will always apply. You need to understand your objective. Is it strictly to convey information, so that your audience’s knowledge is increased? Is it to persuade your audience to take some action? Is it to convince people to support your idea? Once you understand what your objective is, you need to define your central message. There may be a lot of things you want to share with your audience during your presentation, but find – and stick with – the core, the most important point you want them to walk away with. And make sure that your message is clear and compelling.

You also need to tailor your presentation to your audience. Who are they and what might they be expecting? Say you’re giving a product pitch to a client. A technical team may be interested in a lot of nitty-gritty product detail. The business side will no doubt be more interested in what returns they can expect on their investment.

Another consideration is the setting: is this a formal presentation to a large audience with questions reserved for the end, or a presentation in a smaller setting where there’s the possibility for conversation throughout? Is your presentation virtual or in-person? To be delivered individually or as a group? What time of the day will you be speaking? Will there be others speaking before you and might that impact how your message will be received?

Once these fundamentals are established, you’re in building mode. What are the specific points you want to share that will help you best meet your objective and get across your core message? Now figure out how to convey those points in the clearest, most straightforward, and succinct way. This doesn’t mean that your presentation has to be a series of clipped bullet points. No one wants to sit through a presentation in which the presenter reads through what’s on the slide. You can get your points across using stories, fact, diagrams, videos, props, and other types of media.

Visual design matters While you don’t want to clutter up your presentation with too many visual elements that don’t serve your objective and can be distracting, using a variety of visual formats to convey your core message will make your presentation more memorable than slides filled with text. A couple of tips: avoid images that are cliched and overdone. Be careful not to mix up too many different types of images. If you’re using photos, stick with photos. If you’re using drawn images, keep the style consistent. When data are presented, stay consistent with colors and fonts from one type of chart to the next. Keep things clear and simple, using data to support key points without overwhelming your audience with too much information. And don’t assume that your audience is composed of statisticians (unless, of course, it is).

When presenting qualitative data, brief videos provide a way to engage your audience and create emotional connection and impact. Word clouds are another way to get qualitative data across.

Practice makes perfect You’ve pulled together a perfect presentation. But it likely won’t be perfect unless it’s well delivered. So don’t forget to practice your presentation ahead of time. Pro tip: record yourself as you practice out loud. This will force you to think through what you’re going to say for each element of your presentation. And watching your recording will help you identify your mistakes—such as fidgeting, using too many fillers (such as “umm,” or “like”), or speaking too fast.

A key element of your preparation should involve anticipating any technical difficulties. If you’ve embedded videos, make sure they work. If you’re presenting virtually, make sure that the lighting is good, and that your speaker and camera are working. Whether presenting in person or virtually, get there early enough to work out any technical glitches before your presentation is scheduled to begin. Few things are a bigger audience turn-off than sitting there watching the presenter struggle with the delivery mechanisms!

Finally, be kind to yourself. Despite thorough preparation and practice, sometimes, things go wrong, and you need to recover in the moment, adapt, and carry on. It’s unlikely that you’ll have caused any lasting damage and the important thing is to learn from your experience, so your next presentation is stronger.

How are you providing presentation skills training for your learners?

Manika Gandhi is Senior Learning Design Manager at Harvard Business Publishing Corporate Learning. Email her at [email protected] .

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6 presentation skills and how to improve them

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What are presentation skills?

The importance of presentation skills, 6 presentation skills examples, how to improve presentation skills.

Tips for dealing with presentation anxiety

Learn how to captivate an audience with ease

Capturing an audience’s attention takes practice. 

Over time, great presenters learn how to organize their speeches and captivate an audience from start to finish. They spark curiosity, know how to read a room , and understand what their audience needs to walk away feeling like they learned something valuable.

Regardless of your profession, you most likely use presentation skills on a monthly or even weekly basis. Maybe you lead brainstorming sessions or host client calls. 

Developing effective presentation skills makes it easier to contribute ideas with confidence and show others you’re someone to trust. Although speaking in front of a crowd sometimes brings nerves and anxiety , it also sparks new opportunities.

Presentation skills are the qualities and abilities you need to communicate ideas effectively and deliver a compelling speech. They influence how you structure a presentation and how an audience receives it. Understanding body language , creating impactful visual aids, and projecting your voice all fall under this umbrella.

A great presentation depends on more than what you say. It’s about how you say it. Storytelling , stage presence, and voice projection all shape how well you express your ideas and connect with the audience. These skills do take practice, but they’re worth developing — especially if public speaking makes you nervous. 

Engaging a crowd isn’t easy. You may feel anxious to step in front of an audience and have all eyes and ears on you.

But feeling that anxiety doesn’t mean your ideas aren’t worth sharing. Whether you’re giving an inspiring speech or delivering a monthly recap at work, your audience is there to listen to you. Harness that nervous energy and turn it into progress.

Strong presentation skills make it easier to convey your thoughts to audiences of all sizes. They can help you tell a compelling story, convince people of a pitch , or teach a group something entirely new to them. And when it comes to the workplace, the strength of your presentation skills could play a part in getting a promotion or contributing to a new initiative.

To fully understand the impact these skills have on creating a successful presentation, it’s helpful to look at each one individually. Here are six valuable skills you can develop:

1. Active listening

Active listening is an excellent communication skill for any professional to hone. When you have strong active listening skills, you can listen to others effectively and observe their nonverbal cues . This helps you assess whether or not your audience members are engaged in and understand what you’re sharing. 

Great public speakers use active listening to assess the audience’s reactions and adjust their speech if they find it lacks impact. Signs like slouching, negative facial expressions, and roaming eye contact are all signs to watch out for when giving a presentation.

2. Body language

If you’re researching presentation skills, chances are you’ve already watched a few notable speeches like TED Talks or industry seminars. And one thing you probably noticed is that speakers can capture attention with their body language. 

A mixture of eye contact, hand gestures , and purposeful pacing makes a presentation more interesting and engaging. If you stand in one spot and don’t move your body, the audience might zone out.

3. Stage presence

A great stage presence looks different for everyone. A comedian might aim for more movement and excitement, and a conference speaker might focus their energy on the content of their speech. Although neither is better than the other, both understand their strengths and their audience’s needs. 

Developing a stage presence involves finding your own unique communication style . Lean into your strengths, whether that’s adding an injection of humor or asking questions to make it interactive . To give a great presentation, you might even incorporate relevant props or presentation slides.

4. Storytelling

According to Forbes, audiences typically pay attention for about 10 minutes before tuning out . But you can lengthen their attention span by offering a presentation that interests them for longer. Include a narrative they’ll want to listen to, and tell a story as you go along. 

Shaping your content to follow a clear narrative can spark your audience’s curiosity and entice them to pay careful attention. You can use anecdotes from your personal or professional life that take your audience along through relevant moments. If you’re pitching a product, you can start with a problem and lead your audience through the stages of how your product provides a solution.

5. Voice projection

Although this skill may be obvious, you need your audience to hear what you’re saying. This can be challenging if you’re naturally soft-spoken and struggle to project your voice.

Remember to straighten your posture and take deep breaths before speaking, which will help you speak louder and fill the room. If you’re talking into a microphone or participating in a virtual meeting, you can use your regular conversational voice, but you still want to sound confident and self-assured with a strong tone.

If you’re unsure whether everyone can hear you, you can always ask the audience at the beginning of your speech and wait for confirmation. That way, they won’t have to potentially interrupt you later.

Ensuring everyone can hear you also includes your speed and annunciation. It’s easy to speak quickly when nervous, but try to slow down and pronounce every word. Mumbling can make your presentation difficult to understand and pay attention to.

6. Verbal communication 

Although verbal communication involves your projection and tone, it also covers the language and pacing you use to get your point across. This includes where you choose to place pauses in your speech or the tone you use to emphasize important ideas.

If you’re giving a presentation on collaboration in the workplace , you might start your speech by saying, “There’s something every workplace needs to succeed: teamwork.” By placing emphasis on the word “ teamwork ,” you give your audience a hint on what ideas will follow.

To further connect with your audience through diction, pay careful attention to who you’re speaking to. The way you talk to your colleagues might be different from how you speak to a group of superiors, even if you’re discussing the same subject. You might use more humor and a conversational tone for the former and more serious, formal diction for the latter.

Everyone has strengths and weaknesses when it comes to presenting. Maybe you’re confident in your use of body language, but your voice projection needs work. Maybe you’re a great storyteller in small group settings, but need to work on your stage presence in front of larger crowds. 

The first step to improving presentation skills is pinpointing your gaps and determining which qualities to build upon first. Here are four tips for enhancing your presentation skills:

1. Build self-confidence

Confident people know how to speak with authority and share their ideas. Although feeling good about your presentation skills is easier said than done, building confidence is key to helping your audience believe in what you’re saying. Try practicing positive self-talk and continuously researching your topic's ins and outs.

If you don’t feel confident on the inside, fake it until you make it. Stand up straight, project your voice, and try your best to appear engaged and excited. Chances are, the audience doesn’t know you’re unsure of your skills — and they don’t need to.

Another tip is to lean into your slideshow, if you’re using one. Create something colorful and interesting so the audience’s eyes fall there instead of on you. And when you feel proud of your slideshow, you’ll be more eager to share it with others, bringing more energy to your presentation.

2. Watch other presentations

Developing the soft skills necessary for a good presentation can be challenging without seeing them in action. Watch as many as possible to become more familiar with public speaking skills and what makes a great presentation. You could attend events with keynote speakers or view past speeches on similar topics online.

Take a close look at how those presenters use verbal communication and body language to engage their audiences. Grab a notebook and jot down what you enjoyed and your main takeaways. Try to recall the techniques they used to emphasize their main points, whether they used pauses effectively, had interesting visual aids, or told a fascinating story.

3. Get in front of a crowd

You don’t need a large auditorium to practice public speaking. There are dozens of other ways to feel confident and develop good presentation skills.

If you’re a natural comedian, consider joining a small stand-up comedy club. If you’re an avid writer, participate in a public poetry reading. Even music and acting can help you feel more comfortable in front of a crowd.

If you’d rather keep it professional, you can still work on your presentation skills in the office. Challenge yourself to participate at least once in every team meeting, or plan and present a project to become more comfortable vocalizing your ideas. You could also speak to your manager about opportunities that flex your public speaking abilities.

4. Overcome fear

Many people experience feelings of fear before presenting in front of an audience, whether those feelings appear as a few butterflies or more severe anxiety. Try grounding yourself to shift your focus to the present moment. If you’re stuck dwelling on previous experiences that didn’t go well, use those mistakes as learning experiences and focus on what you can improve to do better in the future.

Tips for dealing with presentation anxiety 

It’s normal to feel nervous when sharing your ideas. In fact, according to a report from the Journal of Graduate Medical Education, public speaking anxiety is prevalent in 15–30% of the general population .

Even though having a fear of public speaking is common, it doesn’t make it easier. You might feel overwhelmed, become stiff, and forget what you were going to say. But although the moment might scare you, there are ways to overcome the fear and put mind over matter.

Use these tactics to reduce your stress when you have to make a presentation:

1. Practice breathing techniques

If you experience anxiety often, you’re probably familiar with breathing techniques for stress relief . Incorporating these exercises into your daily routine can help you stop worrying and regulate anxious feelings. 

Before a big presentation, take a moment alone to practice breathing techniques, ground yourself, and reduce tension. It’s also a good idea to take breaths throughout the presentation to speak slower and calm yourself down .

2. Get organized

The more organized you are, the more prepared you’ll feel. Carefully outline all of the critical information you want to use in your presentation, including your main talking points and visual aids, so you don’t forget anything. Use bullet points and visuals on each slide to remind you of what you want to talk about, and create handheld notes to help you stay on track.

3. Embrace moments of silence

It’s okay to lose your train of thought. It happens to even the most experienced public speakers once in a while. If your mind goes blank, don’t panic. Take a moment to breathe, gather your thoughts, and refer to your notes to see where you left off. You can drink some water or make a quick joke to ease the silence or regain your footing. And it’s okay to say, “Give me a moment while I find my notes.” Chances are, people understand the position you’re in.

4. Practice makes progress

Before presenting, rehearse in front of friends and family members you trust. This gives you the chance to work out any weak spots in your speech and become comfortable communicating out loud. If you want to go the extra mile, ask your makeshift audience to ask a surprise question. This tests your on-the-spot thinking and will prove that you can keep cool when things come up.

Whether you’re new to public speaking or are a seasoned presenter, you’re bound to make a few slip-ups. It happens to everyone. The most important thing is that you try your best, brush things off, and work on improving your skills to do better in your next presentation.

Although your job may require a different level of public speaking than your favorite TED Talk , developing presentation skills is handy in any profession. You can use presentation skills in a wide range of tasks in the workplace, whether you’re sharing your ideas with colleagues, expressing concerns to higher-ups, or pitching strategies to potential clients.

Remember to use active listening to read the room and engage your audience with an interesting narrative. Don’t forget to step outside your comfort zone once in a while and put your skills to practice in front of a crowd. After facing your fears, you’ll feel confident enough to put presentation skills on your resume.

If you’re trying to build your skills and become a better employee overall, try a communications coach with BetterUp. 

Elevate your communication skills

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Elizabeth Perry, ACC

Elizabeth Perry is a Coach Community Manager at BetterUp. She uses strategic engagement strategies to cultivate a learning community across a global network of Coaches through in-person and virtual experiences, technology-enabled platforms, and strategic coaching industry partnerships. With over 3 years of coaching experience and a certification in transformative leadership and life coaching from Sofia University, Elizabeth leverages transpersonal psychology expertise to help coaches and clients gain awareness of their behavioral and thought patterns, discover their purpose and passions, and elevate their potential. She is a lifelong student of psychology, personal growth, and human potential as well as an ICF-certified ACC transpersonal life and leadership Coach.

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Presentation Skills Self Assessment

This assessment is designed to help you identify areas of strength and opportunity for growth. It is also valuable for selecting the right course of action either on your own or with your coach.

The Quick 10

This is the kick-start 10 item assessment to get you started in identifying areas that you are strong, and areas you want to strengthen with experiential learning, research, and tips and tools from PresentationYOU.

Kick-Start Assessment

Use the following 10 factors of effective presentations (and meetings) to get a sense of your skill level. This will get you started in determining your strengths and areas for learning.

Circle the appropriate skill level for each of the 10 statements. Each statement should have only one level circled.

• Basic Skills – still have much to learn
• Good Skills – improving but can learn more
• Great Skills – ready to begin fine tuning

Add the number of circled items in each column to determine your totals. You should have a number from 1 to 10 for each: Basic , Good , and Great . The total of all three columns will equal 10. The column with the highest number is your overall assessment level. For example if you have: Basic 3 / Good 5 / Great 2, your overall assessment is ‘Good’ presentation skills.

Take Action Toward ‘Great’

Now that you have an idea of your current skill level, it’s time to take action to move you from a good presenter to a great presenter.

Any items in which you did not select Great as your skill level is an opportunity to explore.

• Wander through the tools and tips articles under How to Communicate

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Presentation Skills: 40 Useful Performance Feedback Phrases

Presentation Skills: Use these sample phrases to craft meaningful performance evaluations, drive change and motivate your workforce.

Presentation Skills are useful in getting your message or opinion out there in many aspects of life and work, though they are mostly used in businesses, sales, teaching, lecturing, and training.

Presentation Skills: Exceeds Expectations Phrases

• Always prepares well before making any form of presentation whether formal or non-formal.
• Gives a clear and well-structured delivery when making a presentation.
• Exhibits excellent skill when it comes to expressing ideas and opinions with clarity.
• Knows the audience well enough to use proper language and terms.
• Engages well with audiences before, during and after delivering a presentation.
• Gives the audiences ample and appropriate time to ask questions.
• Creates a very lively and positive outlook when delivering a presentation.
• Adjusts very well to the new surrounding and exudes a great aura of confidence.
• Knows how to get and maintain the attention of the audience.
• Responds well to questions and issues raised by the audience.

Presentation Skills: Meets Expectations Phrases

• Organizes a good, balanced and dynamic presentation with high impact results.
• Demonstrates good ability to use visual aids most appropriately during presentations.
• Speaks in a good speech rate not so fast and at the same time not too slow.
• Explains each point to the fullest and only tries to emphasize the key points.
• Demonstrates a good logical order when presenting ideas not to confuse the audience.
• Uses non-verbal forms of communication such as facial expressions in a good way.
• Does proper research on the topic to be presented to gather all updated facts and figures.
• Delivers short and powerful presentations that create interest and excitement.
• Knows how to use true stories in between the presentation to pass across a point or to grab the audience's attention.
• Makes good eye contact with the audience from the start of the presentation to the end.

Presentation Skills: Needs Improvement Phrases

• Does not make good and consistent eye contact with the audience.
• Has minimal movement on stage and does not walk around the presentation room.
• Does not talk in a very engaging and positive way something that creates a dull presentation.
• Does not exude confidence and poise when delivering a presentation.
• Uses old facts and figures when presenting as a result of not doing enough research.
• Gives long presentations and does little to get the attention of the audience.
• Does not use the visual aids to help deliver a powerful conversation.
• Does not know the audience well and uses hard words that they do not understand.
• Does not give audiences ample time to raise questions and to seek clarification if need be.
• Presents ideas in a non-logical manner that creates confusion to the audience.

Presentation Skills: Self Evaluation Questions

• Have you ever gone for presentation without preparing well? How did the presentation go?
• How frequently do you engage your audience during any presentation?
• What was the highest score or reviews you received for any presentation that you have made so far?
• Give an instance your presentation backfired and what was your backup plan?
• How do you normally conclude your presentations and how can you rate it?
• How well do you deal with questions and issues raised by the audience?
• When it comes to nervousness, how do you manage or deal with it before hand?
• How can you rate your experience level when it comes to giving presentations?
• What do you like or dislike most about giving presentations?
• What presentation method do you like and why do you like it?

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Evaluating Business Presentations: A Six Point Presenter Skills Assessment Checklist

Posted by Belinda Huckle  |  On April 18, 2024  |  In Presentation Training, Tips & Advice

In this Article...quick links

1. Ability to analyse an audience effectively and tailor the message accordingly

2. ability to develop a clear, well-structured presentation/pitch that is compelling and persuasive, 3. ability to connect with and maintain the engagement of the audience, 4. ability to prepare effective slides that support and strengthen the clarity of the message, 5. ability to appear confident, natural and in control, 6. ability to summarise and close a presentation to achieve the required/desired outcome, effective presentation skills are essential to growth, and follow us on social media for some more great presentation tips:, don’t forget to download our presenter skills assessment form.

For many business people, speaking in front of clients, customers, their bosses or even their own large team is not a skill that comes naturally. So it’s likely that within your organisation, and indeed within your own team, you’ll find varying levels of presenting ability. Without an objective way to assess the presenter skills needed to make a good presentation, convincing someone that presentation coaching could enhance their job performance (benefiting your business), boost their promotion prospects (benefiting their career) and significantly increase their self confidence (benefiting their broader life choices) becomes more challenging.

So, how do you evaluate the presenting skills of your people to find out, objectively, where the skill gaps lie? Well, you work out your presentation skills evaluation criteria and then measure/assess your people against them. 

To help you, in this article we’re sharing the six crucial questions we believe you need to ask to not only make a professional assessment of your people’s presenting skills, but to showcase what makes a great presentation. We use them in our six-point Presenter Skills Assessment checklist ( which we’re giving away as a free download at the end of this blog post ). The answers to these questions will allow you to identify the presenter skills strengths and weaknesses (i.e. skills development opportunities) of anyone in your team or organisation, from the Managing Director down. You can then put presenter skills training or coaching in place so that everyone who needs it can learn the skills to deliver business presentations face-to-face, or online with confidence, impact and purpose.

Read on to discover what makes a great presentation and how to evaluate a presenter using our six-point Presenter Skills Assessment criteria so you can make a professional judgement of your people’s presenting skills.

If you ask most people what makes a great presentation, they will likely comment on tangible things like structure, content, delivery and slides. While these are all critical aspects of a great presentation, a more fundamental and crucial part is often overlooked – understanding your audience .  So, when you watch people in your organisation or team present, look for clues to see whether they really understand their audience and the particular situation they are currently in, such as:

• Is their content tight, tailored and relevant, or just generic?
• Is the information pitched at the right level?
• Is there a clear ‘What’s In It For Them’?
• Are they using language and terminology that reflects how their audience talk?
• Have they addressed all of the pain points adequately?
• Is the audience focused and engaged, or do they seem distracted?

For your people, getting to know their audience, and more importantly, understanding them, should always be the first step in pulling together a presentation. Comprehending the challenges, existing knowledge and level of detail the audience expects lays the foundation of a winning presentation. From there, the content can be structured to get the presenter’s message across in the most persuasive way, and the delivery tuned to best engage those listening.

Flow and structure are both important elements in a presentation as both impact the effectiveness of the message and are essential components in understanding what makes a good presentation and what makes a good speech. When analysing this aspect of your people’s presentations look for a clear, easy to follow agenda, and related narrative, which is logical and persuasive.

Things to look for include:

• Did the presentation ‘tell a story’ with a clear purpose at the start, defined chapters throughout and a strong close?
• Were transitions smooth between the ‘chapters’ of the presentation?
• Were visual aids, handouts or audience involvement techniques used where needed?
• Were the challenges, solutions and potential risks of any argument defined clearly for the audience?
• Were the benefits and potential ROI quantified/explained thoroughly?
• Did the presentation end with a clear destination/call to action or the next steps?

For the message to stick and the audience to walk away with relevant information they are willing to act on, the presentation should flow seamlessly through each part, building momentum and interest along the way. If not, the information can lose impact and the presentation its direction. Then the audience may not feel equipped, inspired or compelled to implement the takeaways.

Connecting with your audience and keeping them engaged throughout can really be the difference between giving a great presentation and one that falls flat. This is no easy feat but is certainly a skill that can be learned. To do it well, your team need a good understanding of the audience (as mentioned above) to ensure the content is on target. Ask yourself, did they cover what’s relevant and leave out what isn’t? 

Delivery is important here too. This includes being able to build a natural rapport with the audience, speaking in a confident, conversational tone, and using expressive vocals, body language and gestures to bring the message to life. On top of this, the slides need to be clear, engaging and add interest to the narrative. Which leads us to point 4…

It’s not uncommon for slides to be used first and foremost as visual prompts for the speaker. While they can be used for this purpose, the first priority of a slide (or any visual aid) should always be to support and strengthen the clarity of the message. For example, in the case of complex topics, slides should be used to visualise data , reinforcing and amplifying your message. This ensures that your slides are used to aid understanding, rather than merely prompting the speaker.

The main problem we see with people’s slides is that they are bloated with information, hard to read, distracting or unclear in their meaning. 

The best slides are visually impactful, with graphics, graphs or images instead of lines and lines of text or bullet points. The last thing you want is your audience to be focused on deciphering the multiple lines of text. Instead your slides should be clear in their message and add reinforcement to the argument or story that is being shared. How true is this of your people’s slides?

Most people find speaking in front of an audience (both small and large) at least a little confronting. However, for some, the nerves and anxiety they feel can distract from their presentation and the impact of their message. If members of your team lack confidence, both in their ideas and in themselves, it will create awkwardness and undermine their credibility and authority. This can crush a presenter and their reputation. 

This is something that you will very easily pick up on, but the good news is that it is definitely an area that can be improved through training and practice. Giving your team the tools and training they need to become more confident and influential presenters can deliver amazing results, which is really rewarding for both the individual and the organisation.

No matter how well a presentation goes, the closing statement can still make or break it. It’s a good idea to include a recap on the main points as well as a clear call to action which outlines what is required to achieve the desired outcome.

In assessing your people’s ability to do this, you can ask the following questions:

• Did they summarise the key points clearly and concisely?
• Were the next steps outlined in a way that seems achievable?
• What was the feeling in the room at the close? Were people inspired, motivated, convinced? Or were they flat, disinterested, not persuaded? 

Closing a presentation with a well-rounded overview and achievable action plan should leave the audience with a sense that they have gained something out of the presentation and have all that they need to take the next steps to overcome their problem or make something happen.

It’s widely accepted that effective communication is a critical skill in business today. On top of this, if you can develop a team of confident presenters, you and they will experience countless opportunities for growth and success.

Once you’ve identified where the skill gaps lie, you can provide targeted training to address it. Whether it’s feeling confident presenting to your leadership team or answering unfielded questions , understanding their strengths and weaknesses in presenting will only boost their presenting skills. This then creates an ideal environment for collaboration and innovation, as each individual is confident to share their ideas. They can also clearly and persuasively share the key messaging of the business on a wider scale – and they and the business will experience dramatic results.

Tailored Training to Fill Your Presentation Skill Gaps

If you’re looking to build the presentation skills of your team through personalised training or coaching that is tailored to your business, we can help. For nearly 20 years we have been Australia’s Business Presentation Skills Experts , training & coaching thousands of people in an A-Z of global blue-chip organisations. All our programs incorporate personalised feedback, advice and guidance to take business presenters further. To find out more, click on one of the buttons below:

• Work Email Address * Please enter your email address and then click ‘download’ below

Written By Belinda Huckle

Co-Founder & Managing Director

Belinda is the Co-Founder and Managing Director of SecondNature International. With a determination to drive a paradigm shift in the delivery of presentation skills training both In-Person and Online, she is a strong advocate of a more personal and sustainable presentation skills training methodology.

Belinda believes that people don’t have to change who they are to be the presenter they want to be. So she developed a coaching approach that harnesses people’s unique personality to build their own authentic presentation style and personal brand.

She has helped to transform the presentation skills of people around the world in an A-Z of organisations including Amazon, BBC, Brother, BT, CocaCola, DHL, EE, ESRI, IpsosMORI, Heineken, MARS Inc., Moody’s, Moonpig, Nationwide, Pfizer, Publicis Groupe, Roche, Savills, Triumph and Walmart – to name just a few.

A total commitment to quality, service, your people and you.

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Important Presentation Skills for Workplace Success

• What Are Presentation Skills?

Steps To Create a Presentation

Skills that help make an effective presentation, how to make your skills stand out.

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Whether you’re a high-level executive or an administrative assistant, developing your presentation skills is one key way to climb in an office-based job. Leaders make decisions based on information shared in presentation format, and hardly any business changes its mind without first seeing a persuasive presentation.

It is important for any office employee to know what steps go into creating an effective presentation and what presentation skills are most important to employers. Highlighting these skills will also help you stand out during your job search.

Key Takeaways

• Presentation skills are what you need to know to be able to give an engaging, effective presentation.
• The steps to creating a successful presentation are preparation, delivery, and follow-up.
• Employers want to know you have the necessary skills to research, analyze, and create a presentation, plus the communication skills needed to deliver it and field questions afterward.
• You can highlight your skills to employers through your resume, cover letter, and interview.

What Are Presentation Skills? 

Presentation skills refer to all the qualities you need to create and deliver a clear and effective presentation. While what you say during a presentation matters, employers also value the ability to create supporting materials, such as slides.

Your prospective employer may want you to deliver briefings and reports to colleagues, conduct training sessions, present information to clients, or perform any number of other tasks that involve speaking before an audience.

Giving engaging and easy-to-understand talks is a major component of the strong  oral communication skills  that are a  job requirement  for many positions. Not all presentations take place in a formal meeting. Many presentation skills are relevant to one-on-one consults or sales calls.

Any presentation has three phases: preparation, delivery, and follow-up. All presentation skills fit into one of these three phases.

Preparation 

Preparation involves research and building the presentation. Consider the audience you'll be presenting to and what most interests them. This may mean crafting the entire text (or at least writing notes) and creating any slides and other supporting audio/visual materials.

You will also have to make sure that the appropriate venue is available, properly set up beforehand, and ensure the projector (if you'll need one) works and connects with your laptop.

You'll also want to practice your presentation as many times as you need to to feel comfortable delivering it with ease and confidence within the time allotted for the presentation.

Skills related to preparation include conducting research related to your presentation topic, devising charts and graphs depicting your research findings, and learning about your audience to better tailor your presentation to their needs. You'll also need to create digital slides, using statistics, examples, and stories to illustrate your points and effectively to persuade the audience.

Preparing handouts or digital references is an added courtesy that will help the audience pay attention because they won't be preoccupied with note-taking.

Your delivery is the part of the presentation that the audience sees. A good delivery depends on careful preparation and confident presentation and requires its own distinctive  skill set . 

Skills related to delivery include giving an attention-grabbing opening for a talk, providing a summary of what will be covered to introduce the presentation and provide context, and using  body language  and eye contact to convey energy and confidence.

Make sure you pause to emphasize key points, modulate your vocal tone for emphasis, and articulate your speech clearly and smoothly.

Don't be afraid of injecting humor or speaking with enthusiasm and animation—these techniques can help you in projecting confidence to your audience.

Summarize key points at the conclusion of the presentation, and be sure to have a plan for how you'll field any audience questions.

Presentation follow-up includes properly breaking down and storing any equipment, contacting any audience members with whom you agreed to communicate further, and soliciting, collecting, and analyzing feedback.

In some presentations, you may collect information from audience members—such as names and contact information or completed surveys—that you also must organize and store.

Skills related to follow-up include creating an evaluation form to solicit feedback from attendees, interpreting feedback from evaluations, and modifying the content and/or delivery for future presentations. Other follow-up skills include organizing a database of attendees for future presentations, interviewing key attendees to gain additional feedback, and emailing presentation slides to attendees.

To create and deliver the most effective presentation takes a variety of skills, which you can always work to improve.

You must be able to look honestly at your performance, assess the feedback you get, and figure out what you need to do to get better. That takes  analytical thinking .

More importantly, you need to have a firm grasp of the information you are about to communicate to others. You need to analyze your audience and be prepared to think quickly if asked questions that force you to demonstrate that you are fully aware of the material and its implications.

The kind of analytical skills you need to be an effective presenter include problem sensitivity, problem-solving , reporting and surveying, optimization, and predictive modeling. It also helps to be adept at strategic planning, integration, process management, and diagnostics. With these skills, you'll be better able to objectively analyze, evaluate, and act on your findings.

Organization

You do not want to be the person who spends half of their presentation time trying to find a cable to connect their laptop to the projector. Many things can and do go wrong just before a presentation unless you are  organized .

Presentation preparation also means keeping track of notes, information, and start/stop times. You will want to proofread and fine-tune all the materials you plan to use for the presentation to catch any mistakes. Make sure you time yourself when you rehearse so you know how long it will take to deliver the presentation.

A presentation that's finished in half the time allotted is as problematic as one that's too long-winded.

Some key organizational skills to work on include event planning, auditing, benchmarking, prioritization, and recordkeeping. Make sure your scheduling is on point and pay close attention to detail. Quick thinking is an important skill to have for when things inevitably go wrong.

Nonverbal Communication

When speaking to an audience, the way you present yourself can be just as important as how you present your information. You want to appear confident and engaging. You can do this through good posture, the use of hand gestures, and making eye contact with the audience.

Practice your  nonverbal communication  by filming yourself doing a practice presentation and observing your body language carefully. Your physical bearing and poise should convey a degree of comfort and confidence in front of an audience, while active listening , respect, and emotional intelligence will help you in facilitating group discussions.

Presentation Software

Microsoft PowerPoint is the dominant software used to create visual aids for presentations. Learn to use it well, including the special features outside of basic templates that can really bring a presentation to life. Even if someone else is preparing your slideshow for you, it will help to know how to use the software in case of last-minute changes.

Other software that is good to learn includes Microsoft Office, Apple Keynote, Google Slides, and Adobe Presenter.

Public Speaking

You need to appear comfortable and engaging when speaking before a live audience, even if you're not. This can take years of practice, and sometimes  public speaking  just isn't for certain people. An uncomfortable presenter is a challenge for everyone. Fortunately, public speaking skills can improve with practice . Some skills to work on include articulation, engagement, and memorization. You should be able to assess the needs of the audience and handle difficult questions. Controlling your performance anxiety will help you communicate more effectively.

Research is the first step in preparing most presentations and could range from a multi-year process to spending 20 minutes online, depending on context and subject matter. At the very least, you must be able to clearly frame research questions, identify appropriate information sources, and organize your results. Other useful skills include brainstorming, collaboration , comparative analysis, data interpretation, and deductive and inductive reasoning. Business intelligence is a skill that will help you evaluate what information you need to support the bottom line, while case analysis and causal relationships will help you parse and evaluate meaning.

Verbal Communication

Public speaking is one form of  verbal communication , but you will need other forms to give a good presentation. Specifically, you must know how to answer questions. You should be able to understand questions asked by your audience (even if they're strange or poorly worded) and provide respectful, honest, and accurate answers without getting off-topic. Use active listening, focus, and empathy to understand your audience. Skills such as assertiveness, affirmation, and enunciation will help you restate and clarify your key points as it relates to their questions or concerns.

You may or may not need a written script, but you do need to pre-plan what you are going to say, in what order you will say it, and at what level of detail. If you can write a cohesive essay, you can plan a presentation.

Typical writing skills apply to your presentation just as they do to other forms of writing, including grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and proofreading. The ability to build outlines, take notes, and mark up documents will also be useful.

More Presentation Skills

In addition to the skills previously mentioned, there are other important skills that can apply to your presentation. The other skills you need will depend on what your presentation is about, your audience, and your intended results. Some of these additional skills include:

• Summarizing
• Providing anecdotes to illustrate a point
• Designing handouts
• Recognizing and countering objections
• Posing probing questions to elicit more detail about specific issues
• Awareness of ethnic, political, and religious diversity
• Receiving criticism without defensiveness
• Refraining from speaking too often or interrupting others
• Anticipating the concerns of others
• Product knowledge
• SWOT analysis format
• Supporting statements with evidence
• Multilingual
• Working with reviewers
• Consistency
• Developing and maintaining standard operating procedures (SOPs)
• Developing a proposition statement
• Creating and managing expectations

Include skills on your resume. If applicable, you might mention these words in your  resume summary  or  headline .

Highlight skills in your cover letter. Mention one or two specific presentation skills and give examples of instances when you demonstrated these traits in the workplace.

Show your presentation skills in job interviews. During the interview process, you may be asked to give a sample presentation. In this case, you will want to embody these skills during the presentation. For example, you will want to demonstrate your oral communication skills by speaking clearly and concisely throughout the presentation.

PennState. " Steps in Preparing a Presentation ."

Harvard Division of Continuing Education. " 10 Tips for Improving Your Public Speaking Skills ."

Northern Illinois University. " Delivering the Presentation ."