Performance Reviews Are a Waste of Time

Xavier Shay's compelling argument reveals why formalized performance reviews are at best overly costly and at worst actively harmful to development and morale. The article demonstrates how traditional reviews create awkward, uncomfortable experiences that distract from work, consuming 4+ hours per report while causing managers to lose sleep over exact wording. Shay proposes a revolutionary alternative: employee-driven self-evaluations addressing three key questions about company contribution, personal growth, and career aspirations, where managers listen first rather than speak first. This approach transforms performance discussions from management-driven evaluation into employee-driven coaching and development, saving considerable time while delivering more targeted, actionable guidance.