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Changing the Conversation: Appraisals that Inspire Growth

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Summary

Appraisal Training for Managers is a practical and engaging programme that helps leaders and managers transform appraisal meetings into meaningful development conversations that support performance, motivation and professional growth.

Many appraisal processes focus heavily on paperwork, objectives and compliance requirements. Whilst these elements remain important, truly effective appraisals create opportunities for reflection, development, recognition and future planning. This Appraisal Training for Managers course helps participants move beyond annual reviews and develop an approach that supports continuous learning and ongoing performance improvement.

Drawing on coaching principles, motivational interviewing techniques and performance development frameworks, participants learn how to create conversations that encourage ownership, engagement and personal responsibility. The programme explores how coaching skills, active listening, effective questioning and constructive feedback can improve appraisal discussions and strengthen working relationships.

Participants also examine the role of motivation, behaviour, personal development planning, objective setting and performance review processes. This Appraisal Training for Managers programme introduces practical tools that help managers identify development needs, support employee growth and create meaningful objectives that align individual, team and organisational priorities.

The programme explores the importance of maintaining excellence, understanding employee aspirations and creating a culture where development conversations take place throughout the year rather than being confined to an annual review meeting. Participants learn how to structure appraisal discussions, prepare effectively and ensure that appraisals become a valuable part of ongoing leadership and people development.

This course forms part of our wider Primary Care Leadership Training pathway and complements our Coaching Essentials for Managers, Giving and Receiving Feedback Training, Conflict Resolution Training and Leading in Primary Care programmes.

Aims

This practical programme helps managers develop the confidence, knowledge and skills needed to conduct meaningful appraisals, support employee development and create a culture of continuous improvement.

  • Understand the purpose and value of appraisals as part of ongoing performance and development conversations
  • Explore the relationship between coaching, leadership and effective appraisal practice
  • Develop coaching skills that support employee growth and engagement
  • Understand how motivation influences performance and development
  • Learn how to use effective questioning, listening and reflection techniques
  • Strengthen confidence in conducting constructive appraisal conversations
  • Develop skills in giving and receiving feedback professionally and effectively
  • Explore approaches to behavioural review and performance discussions
  • Understand how to use objectives and development plans to support continuous improvement
  • Learn how to identify appropriate development opportunities for individuals and teams
  • Explore the role of personal development planning, CPD and career development
  • Develop strategies for creating meaningful appraisal processes that support both organisational and individual goals
  • Improve confidence in preparing for, conducting and following up appraisal discussions
  • Create action plans that support long-term development and sustained performance improvement

By the end of the programme, participants will have practical tools and techniques that help transform appraisals into positive, developmental conversations that support performance, motivation and growth.

Participants wishing to further develop leadership, coaching and communication skills may also be interested in our Coaching Essentials for Managers, Giving and Receiving Feedback Training, Conflict Resolution Training and Leading in Primary Care programmes.

How Long Is The Course?

This programme is typically delivered as a full-day interactive workshop, although content and duration can be adapted to meet organisational requirements.

The course combines practical teaching, discussion, reflection, coaching exercises and appraisal-focused activities to help participants develop confidence in preparing for and conducting meaningful development conversations.

Delegates explore coaching approaches, motivation, feedback, objective setting, personal development planning, appraisal preparation and follow-up. The programme also considers how appraisals can support ongoing performance, employee wellbeing, career development and continuous improvement throughout the year.

This course can be delivered as a standalone appraisal training programme or as part of a wider Primary Care Leadership Training pathway.

Who Should Attend?

This programme is designed for managers, leaders and supervisors who are responsible for conducting appraisals, performance development reviews or development conversations with colleagues and team members.

  • Practice Managers
  • Deputy Practice Managers
  • Assistant Practice Managers
  • Primary Care Network Managers
  • Team Leaders
  • Supervisors
  • Clinical Team Leaders
  • Reception and Administration Managers
  • Care Navigation Leads
  • Project Leads
  • Primary Care Network Clinical Directors
  • GP Partners
  • Anyone responsible for appraising, supporting or developing others

The course is particularly valuable for managers who want to make appraisals more meaningful, improve the quality of development conversations and support colleagues to reflect, grow and maintain excellence in their roles.

Those wishing to strengthen wider leadership and coaching skills may also be interested in our Coaching Essentials for Managers, Giving and Receiving Feedback Training and Leading in Primary Care programmes.

Additional Information

The full course curriculum is detailed below.

Coaching, Leadership and Performance Development

  • Exploring the relationship between leadership, coaching and performance development
  • Understanding the differences between coaching, mentoring and directing
  • Recognising when coaching is the most appropriate management approach
  • Using leadership conversations to support growth and development
  • Creating a culture of continuous learning and improvement

Using the Skill-Will Matrix

  • Understanding the relationship between competence and motivation
  • Identifying where individuals sit within the Skill-Will Matrix
  • Exploring appropriate management approaches for different situations
  • Knowing when to coach, guide, delegate or motivate
  • Supporting colleagues to develop confidence and capability

Understanding Motivation and Behaviour

  • Exploring the COM-B model of behaviour change
  • Understanding the relationship between capability, opportunity and motivation
  • Recognising factors that influence employee performance and engagement
  • Identifying barriers to change and development
  • Supporting sustainable improvements in performance and behaviour

Coaching Conversations That Inspire Growth

  • Learning a practical framework for coaching conversations
  • Exploring problem, outcome and route-focused discussions
  • Developing confidence in helping others find solutions
  • Supporting ownership, accountability and action planning
  • Creating conversations that encourage reflection and growth

Questioning, Listening and Reflective Practice

  • Using open and exploratory questions effectively
  • Developing active listening skills
  • Using reflection, clarification and paraphrasing techniques
  • Building trust through effective communication
  • Understanding how powerful conversations support development

Motivational Interviewing Techniques

  • Exploring techniques that encourage behaviour change and personal responsibility
  • Understanding how to explore goals, confidence and motivation
  • Supporting colleagues to identify their own solutions
  • Developing confidence in facilitating change conversations
  • Using motivational approaches within appraisal discussions

Giving Effective Feedback

  • Understanding the role of feedback in development and performance
  • Exploring principles of constructive and balanced feedback
  • Using practical frameworks to structure feedback conversations
  • Recognising the impact of feedback on confidence and motivation
  • Creating a positive approach to developmental feedback

Appraisals, PDRs and Development Reviews

  • Clarifying the purpose of appraisals and personal development reviews
  • Understanding the relationship between appraisal, CPD and development planning
  • Moving beyond annual reviews towards ongoing development conversations
  • Creating meaningful and engaging appraisal processes
  • Supporting professional and career development

Maintaining Excellence and Supporting Growth

  • Exploring how managers can support high performance over time
  • Recognising performance plateaus and stagnation
  • Understanding employee aspirations and career motivations
  • Supporting colleagues who wish to develop and progress
  • Creating a culture that values learning and continuous improvement

Reviewing Behaviours and Performance

  • Understanding the difference between knowledge, skills and behaviours
  • Exploring behavioural expectations within teams
  • Using behavioural feedback to support development
  • Understanding perception, self-awareness and workplace relationships
  • Introducing approaches to behavioural review and 360-degree feedback

Objective Setting and Development Planning

  • Creating meaningful objectives that support organisational and individual goals
  • Understanding how objectives contribute to development and performance
  • Exploring practical approaches to reviewing progress throughout the year
  • Supporting continuous professional development and learning
  • Aligning development activities with individual needs and aspirations

Preparing for Effective Appraisal Conversations

  • Understanding the importance of preparation and reflection
  • Exploring approaches to exchanging information before appraisal meetings
  • Creating a safe and constructive environment for discussion
  • Reducing surprises and improving the quality of conversations
  • Building trust, openness and engagement throughout the process

Creating Conversations That Matter

  • Bringing together coaching, feedback and development approaches
  • Using appraisal discussions to strengthen relationships and engagement
  • Supporting wellbeing, ambition and career development
  • Creating meaningful conversations that inspire growth
  • Developing practical action plans for implementation within the workplace

Throughout this Appraisal Training for Managers programme, participants develop the confidence and skills needed to conduct meaningful appraisal conversations that support performance, development, engagement and continuous improvement.

This Appraisal Training for Managers course complements our Coaching Essentials for Managers, Giving and Receiving Feedback Training, Conflict Resolution Training, Supervisory & Leadership Skills and wider Primary Care Leadership Training programmes.

Delegate Feedback

Changing the Conversation: Appraisals that Inspire Growth
Perthshire Primary Care Training - 4th June 2025

7 delegates completed evaluations, each scoring 4 domains out of 6

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