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Performance Review Survival Book, manuscript cover

Performance reviews

Performance Review Survival Book

Coloring Scenes, Worksheets, and Scripts for Review Season

By Jon Orozco

Enter your review with specific examples, questions you have rehearsed, and a plan to turn feedback into next steps.

In development

This title is being developed. The sample below introduces the current manuscript; release details may change.

Try a sample situation

Who this is for

Employees and managers facing annual or mid-year reviews, and the people who gift them calm preparation.

Review day is approaching. Your examples are scattered, and you are rehearsing how to respond to feedback you have not heard yet.

The current manuscript includes 20 practice situations, reflective coloring plates, and 16 practical tools.

Why this book exists

Preparation gives the conversation something concrete to work with. This book helps employees and managers practice gathering evidence, discussing difficult feedback, and agreeing on goals.

What you’ll practice

  1. 01Before the Review

    Good reviews start months early. This part covers the blank form, the wins you forgot, fair self-ratings, early feedback, and numbers.

  2. 02In the Room

    The conversation itself. This part covers the opening, hard feedback, surprises, silence, and remote reviews.

  3. 03Hard Reviews

    Some reviews sting. This part covers low ratings, unfair comments, new managers, disagreement, and performance plans.

  4. 04After the Review

    The meeting ends but the work starts. This part covers goals, raises, promotions, thanks, and keeping a record.

Try a sample situation from the book

The blank self-review

The form says, "List your accomplishments." You stare at it. You remember lunch.

Start with what you can prove.

  1. A project I finished:
  2. Who it helped:
  3. A number or fact that shows it:
  4. Something I learned:
Make your call, then read the field note

Memory is short. Evidence is strong. Keep a running list of wins all year.

Try this next: Write down three wins from the last 90 days.

Practice with fictional details. This excerpt offers general education, not legal, financial, or clinical advice. Use approved workplace processes and qualified support for real cases.

Tools you can return to

  • Your review year
  • My wins log
  • Before the review
  • Self-review worksheet
  • Feedback I received
  • Push back or take it in?
  • Respond to a tough comment
  • Review season bingo
  • The day of the review
  • Twelve months of habits
  • Goals and dates
  • Monthly ten minute update
  • Raise ask prep
  • Thank-you tracker
  • Questions for my manager
  • Next year goals

Put the practice to work

Choose one situation that resembles the work you face. Make your call, compare it with the worked example, and identify what you would change. Take one useful move into your next assignment, conversation, or team discussion.

Discuss a team learning session →

A book supports practice. For an active workplace issue, follow your organization’s process and seek appropriate professional guidance.

Keep exploring

Write It Down

Turn vague employee notes into factual records with context, the employee’s account, and a clear follow-up.

Solo HR

Move competing requests out of your head and into a visible case queue with priorities, owners, and next steps.

Promoted Over Your Peers

Move from coworker to supervisor with clear boundaries, consistent work decisions, and conversations you have practiced.