The Two-Part Strategy To Appraisals (Part 2)

If you've done the Prep (Part 1), you've already won half the battle. Now, you need to master the conversation itself and learn the difference between reporting and leading.

Execute: The What and The How

1. Lead with Gratitude, Then Story

The biggest mistake is just listing information. You need to frame your achievements as a narrative of growth and impact.

Frame Work as A Story of Growth: Show how your work stretched your skills. For example: "Over the past 4 months, it's been a real learning curve... from building our GTM for Japan to scaling the team across the region, it has really stretched my skills and given me opportunities to shape the strategy for the region...".

This frames your past work as future potential and competence, making it easier for your manager to vouch for your next move.

2. Control the Narrative

You are the expert on your own contributions. Don't wait for permission to showcase your value.

• Cover Your Points: As much as the manager leads the discussion, you want to also step in to cover your points. Use your one-pager deck (from Part 1) as a guide to ensure you hit all the major points you prepared.
• Stop the Guilt Trap: If you're coming off a transition (like a parental leave or sabbatical), ensure the conversation focuses on impact and results, not time spent. Your value is defined by the quality of work and the results you achieved when you were present. 

3. Align on the Future Promotion

This is the most critical part: Performance reviews are forward-facing career conversations. This is not the end of the conversation, it's the beginning of the next one.

• Align on Next Goals: Based on what comes up, you must align on goals for the coming year, how you intend to measure and track them, and agree on any KPIs.
• Plant the Seed: Be conscious that this is the time to start talking about what you need to secure in the next 6 to 8 months to guarantee the promotion you want.

The ownership is on your part to take control and remind them of all the great work you're doing. The more clarity and confidence you bring, the easier it becomes for others to see your value.

Ready to Master the Execution?

If you want the exact scripts and tools to master high-stakes conversations like this and secure the next level in your career, I'm holding a workshop soon. Get on the waitlist here!

You can also join the waitlist for our signature Career Accelerator programme today to get the proven frameworks my clients use to negotiate their value and land top-tier opportunities.

Rooting for you,
 Angel Kilian
Founder | Career inFocus

What’s New At Career In Focus

• November 2025: Ace Your Appraisal Workshop 
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