What do you do if your performance evaluations in Environmental Design reveal areas for improvement?

2 How to prepare for performance evaluations

Before you receive a performance evaluation, you should prepare yourself mentally and emotionally. You should be open-minded and willing to listen to constructive criticism, as well as acknowledge and celebrate your achievements. You should also review your previous work and self-evaluate your performance based on the criteria and standards of your field and organization. You should prepare some examples of your successes and challenges, as well as some questions and suggestions for improvement.

3 How to receive performance evaluations

When you receive a performance evaluation, you should be respectful and attentive. You should listen actively and ask for clarification if you do not understand something. You should avoid being defensive or argumentative, but also express your opinions and perspectives politely and confidently. You should thank your evaluator for their feedback and time, and ask for a written summary of the evaluation if possible.

4 How to act on performance evaluations

After you receive a performance evaluation, you should reflect on the feedback and identify the main areas for improvement. You should also recognize your strengths and achievements, and appreciate your progress and potential. You should then create an action plan to address your weaknesses and enhance your skills. You should set specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals, and seek the resources and support you need to achieve them. You should also monitor your progress and update your evaluator on your results.

5 How to give performance evaluations

As an environmental designer, you may also have to give performance evaluations to others, such as your colleagues, subordinates, or students. In that case, you should follow some best practices to provide effective and fair feedback. You should prepare in advance and review the work and performance of the person you are evaluating. You should use clear and objective criteria and standards, and provide evidence and examples to support your assessment. You should also balance positive and negative feedback, and focus on the behavior and outcomes, not the personality or intentions of the person. You should also encourage dialogue and collaboration, and offer suggestions and resources for improvement.

6 How to improve your performance evaluation skills

Performance evaluation skills are not innate, but learned and developed over time. As an environmental designer, you can improve your performance evaluation skills by seeking regular feedback from different sources, such as your clients, managers, peers, mentors, or coaches. You can also use self-assessment tools and methods, such as portfolios, journals, surveys, or rubrics, to monitor and document your performance. You can also participate in training and workshops, or join professional associations and networks, to learn from other environmental designers and experts in your field.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?