The Definitive Performance Writing Guide

This book isn't quite as well organized as James Neal's "Effective Phrases for Performance Appraisals", but it covers favorable and unfavorable reviews, while Neal's book neglects unfavorable reviews.

I also think Drewry's phrases have a bit more flair, especially in the "Complete the Phrase" section for "Below Average Personal Performance (Chapter 11). Here are some examples: "...Poor planner. Great hindsight."; "...Inclined to berate others when they fail to meet perfectionist standards."; "...Lacking in social grace and courtesy." While not quite as cutting as, say, "one beer short of short of a six pack", Drewry quite wisely reminds us that, "Unfavorable bullets are deadly. Use them carefully."


Exceptional book referencing everything and then some!   September 21, 1999
23 out of 25 found this review helpful

I made the mistake of loaning this exceptional book to my immediate supervisor who "inadvertently" took the book with him to Hawaii. Believe me, this book saved me time and effort in writing performance reports for subordinates that ranged between exceptional performer to satisfactory worker. Most of all, the book is divided in job performance setting, descriptive narratives, and similiar words that can either make your subordinate float on water, walk on water, or just prodding in the sands. This is a must-have whether you are writing on a civilian subordinate or a military personnel. Do not loan this out to anyone! Encourage them to get their own book, especially, since I eventually began placing notations on areas that interested me or have caught my attention.