She wanted to handle it well. She cared about this employee and knew the stakes were high. A vague answer would feel evasive and a blunt one could damage trust, trigger disengagement, or send a strong performer updating their résumé by the end of the week.

It’s that time of year again: performance review season. If you’re feeling a bit anxious, especially if you suspect your review might not be glowing, you’re definitely not alone. If that’s the situation you find yourself in, read this.