Performance Review Response

Re: Self-Evaluation Form — Annual Performance Review From: [Manager] To: The Boston Magic Lab Subject: Great Connecting on Your Review — Some Thoughts!

Hi team!

First of all, WOW. What a review! I have to say I really enjoyed reading this and I think it shows a lot of growth from where we were last year, which, as you know, was also a great year, so that’s really saying something!

I wanted to circle back with some thoughts while they’re still fresh for me. I actually printed this out and read it over the weekend which is something I don’t do for everyone, just so you know.

On Your Accomplishments

Really strong stuff here. The magic piece is coming along nicely and I think the audience engagement numbers — and I know we’ve gone back and forth on whether “vibes” is a metric we can track, and I hear you, I do, I just think at the end of the day the board wants to see something in a column — are trending in a really positive direction.

The BBQ sounds like a great initiative and I think it shows real outside-the-box thinking in terms of stakeholder relations. May 17th you said? At the Arlington location? I may try to swing by if I can move some things around on my end! I’ll have Cheryl take a look at the calendar. No promises but I’m going to try to make it work because I think it’s important to show up for the team, that’s just my leadership philosophy.

What time did you say? I want to make sure Cheryl has the right information.

On Jeannine

I don’t think I’ve had the pleasure of meeting Jeannine formally? I’d love to set up a quick thirty minute intro sometime — even a virtual coffee would be great — just to put a face to the name because it sounds like she is really moving the needle on the culinary side of things and those are exactly the kinds of intrapreneurial contributors we want to make sure feel seen and valued. Would she be open to that? Maybe you could facilitate?

If she’s as good at the grill as you say — and I believe you, I do! — we should absolutely be thinking about whether there’s a way to scale that. Has she considered doing a lunch and learn?

On Areas for Development

I want to acknowledge what you said here and I want you to know that I hear you. I really do. Communication is something we are all working on as an organization and I don’t think you’re wrong that there is room to grow in that space, on all sides, and I think the fact that you’re naming it shows a real maturity and self-awareness that honestly not everyone has so credit where it’s due.

I do want to gently push back — and I’m saying this as someone who is fully in your corner — on the framing around the 2015 comment. I think “areas for development” is actually still very much the language we’re using and I want to make sure we’re all working from the same playbook, literally and figuratively! I’m going to send you a PDF.

On Goals

Love these. Very actionable. The budget conversation is one I’m excited to have and I think if we can get the right people in the room — and I’m working on that, I promise I’m working on that — we’re going to be in a really strong position going into next year.

One small thing and I only mention it because I want to set you up for success: the review form is typically meant to be about individual performance rather than event logistics? So the BBQ details, while exciting, might be better suited for a separate communication channel. Just something to keep in mind for next time! Not a big deal at all.

Overall

I’m going to give this review a Meets Expectations with a note that several areas are trending toward Exceeds, which I think you’ll agree is a really encouraging place to be.

Let’s find time to connect live on all of this. I’m thinking we grab fifteen minutes — or thirty if you need it, I want to make sure you feel heard — sometime in the next two to three weeks. I’ll have Cheryl reach out.

Really proud of everything you’re doing. Keep it up!

Best, [Manager]

P.S. So sorry, what was the address again for the BBQ? Cheryl needs it for the calendar. And is there parking?

P.P.S. Is it casual? What are people wearing? I don’t want to overdress but I also don’t want to show up and feel underdressed, I’ve done that before and it’s not a great feeling, anyway let me know!

P.P.P.S. I went ahead and looked up Jeannine on LinkedIn — I think I found her? — and sent a connection request, hope that’s okay, just trying to build the relationship!