One of the best performance evaluations I ever had was when my boss invited me to tea (well, actually I invited him); nevertheless, we both had a great time! Here is how it all started.
My Boss’ Leadership Style
My boss had a practice of taking each direct report to lunch to hold performance evaluation discussions. Now, it didn’t matter whether you were going to get a good or not so good evaluation, he just enjoyed the fellowship of sharing a meal while discussing performance and business items with each staff member. This was his leadership style. He made everyone who worked for him feel valued and important.
Tea and Performance Evaluations
Well, when it came to my turn for a performance evaluation, he asked me where I would like to have lunch and I promptly mentioned the local tearoom. So, he made the reservations and off we went. Now, he was not fond of tea…in fact he never drank the stuff. Additionally, he was a “fitness nut” (I mention this quite fondly), and was always drinking water or some nutritional drink (green stuff, yuck)! But with bolstered courage, he boldly ventured into my world and with good grace bit into a tea sandwich and experienced his first tea bliss! The conversation flowed; I got a great performance evaluation and he drank at least two cups of herbal tea-very surprised to find out that there was such a thing.
Now, I don’t know if he ever had another cup of tea or went to a tearoom between performance evaluations, but he knew he would repeat the experience as long as I worked for him!
Take Your Boss to Tea
For you tea lovers who have bosses that take you to lunch for one-to-one discussions or performance evaluations, why not suggest that they be held at the tearoom of your choice; and before you lament that you do not have a tearoom nearby, consider having your local bakery cater it for you. All you will have to do is bring in beautiful tea linens, your best china teaware and spoons, an electric thermo pot to keep the water warm, and at least two varieties of tea. Be creative and set up a makeshift tearoom in an office or conference room; then watch how your boss reacts to the experience. Who knows he or she may become a tea enthusiast!
I like the suggestion of taking your boss out to tea. If it was for a performance evaluation, I think I would only do this if I thought I would get a good rating otherwise any ole place would do.