Article July 15, 2019 Issue

A performance review? Don’t sweat it!

Eric Nager

I felt blindsided. Two years into my new job, I thought I was doing well, but my annual performance review said otherwise. What hurt all the more was that I loved the organization I was working for, and the poor review made me feel I was letting everyone down.

After the initial shock, I contemplated my options and considered disputing the review or justifying my position. But I realized there was some merit to my boss’s evaluation, and I ultimately had to resolve this a different way—through prayer.

As a lifelong Christian Scientist, I have seen many healings through prayer, including those of personal relationships. And at the root of this issue was my relationship with my boss. I liked her very much and enjoyed working with her—she had a great sense of humor! At the same time I was tempted to be angry with her for what I thought was an unjust review. I realized she had done her best in her evaluation of my work, and recognizing that her motive was to help make me a better employee was a good first step. But it didn’t heal the sense of injustice I felt.

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