Giving a Positive Constructive Appraisal

Learn how to confidently facilitate an appraisal meeting that leaves the appraisee feeling positive and empowered with this one-day training course.

Course Overview

Appraisals should be a chance to connect, reflect and build trust—not a dreaded annual task.

In this practical workshop, you’ll explore how to run appraisals that focus on strengths, encourage honest conversation and support future development. You’ll gain tools to structure the conversation, give feedback that lands well, and set goals that energise your people.

 

Why take this course?

  • Learn how to give feedback that motivates, not deflates
  • Create a safe and positive appraisal environment
  • Focus on what’s working, not just what needs fixing
  • Have open, honest conversations—even when things are difficult
  • Set clear, achievable and meaningful goals

Who is this course for

This course is ideal for:

  • Line managers, team leaders or anyone conducting appraisals
  • New managers or those wanting to refresh their approach
  • Organisations shifting toward people-centred performance reviews

Duration

1 day

Classroom size

8 approx.

Location

Online or Classroom

Certificate

1 Certification

Experience

Open to all

What you will learn

  • Structure an effective appraisal conversation
  • Give constructive feedback in a way that builds trust
  • Focus on strengths, values and future potential
  • Ask better questions to support meaningful reflection
  • Create clear action plans and follow-up steps

Curriculum & Key Themes Covered

This course will be taught in the latest version of the software. We can train this in older versions if needed – please get in touch for more information and availability.

Themes covered

  • What empowers people to work at their best
  • The five key elements of active listening
  • How to use coaching questions to get the best out of your people
  • The difference between constructive and destructive feedback
  • The key steps to providing constructive and positive feedback clearly
  • What stops you giving feedback and the impact this can have
  • Preparing yourself to respond well to feedback from others
  • Understand what is needed for a quality appraisal
  • The benefits you gain as a manager when you appraise effectively
  • The three key stages of an appraisal plus the benefits of each stage
  • The importance of advance preparation
  • Setting measurable short and long term objectives with clear accountabilities whilst maintaining your people’s sense of job ownership
  • Personal action plan beyond the programme

Ready to take the next step?

We are here to help!

This course is only available as a one-to-one or private group booking.

For pricing and availability, send us a message using the form, leave us a message on 020 7375 7300, or speak to an Account Manager straight away using our Live Chat service in the bottom right of your screen!

Testimonials From Happy Learners

Looking for Private Group Training?

If you have three or more learners, a private group training could be cheaper.

We can tailor the content to your team, and host the training remotely, at your workplace or here at Happy’s HQ in Aldgate, Central London.

The Happy guarantee

We want everyone to go away from our courses feeling as though they have learnt useful, practical skills that they can use straight away when they go back to work.

If you don’t feel that your training has been useful or if you are unhappy in any way, please get in touch with our Customer Services team within 30 days of the course.

We will be happy to offer you additional support and training free of charge to help you to gain the skills you need, or if you’d prefer, a full refund.

Why Choose happy?

Because Happiness Works

Joy leads to success, every time,

Expert-Led & Hands-On

Our award-winning training isn’t just theoretical. It’s packed with practical tools you can use straight away.

B Corp Certified & Proud

We don’t just talk about impact — we live it. As a B Corp, we’re committed to making workplaces better for everyone.

Classroom or live online learning available

Both available for public and private dates.

The small print

For Live Online Interactive Learning sessions (webinars)

The course will run remotely for a full day consisting of three 90-minute live online sessions with independent work in between. 

All learners will need to install Zoom on their machines. Full technical requirements are on the Zoom website. Your link will be included in your joining instructions once you have booked your place — if you haven’t received this email then please contact our team.

Learners should log into the session 10 minutes before the start time to ensure that they have downloaded and set up Zoom correctly. The course will start precisely on time and it may not be possible to go back over material missed by late arrivals. Unfortunately you will be asked to leave and attend a different day if you arrive more than 15 minutes late for online sessions, and more than 30 minutes late for classroom sessions.

Please ensure you read our Terms and Conditions before booking for our payment terms and cancellation policy.

For classroom sessions

All public classroom sessions take place at Happy’s HQ in London at Robert Dolan House, 9 Alie Street, London E1 8DE. Please see our Contact Us page for full directions and a PDF map.

The course will run from 10am to 4:45pm (lunch is served 1pm to 1:45pm — we offer a choice of 3 cold bowl dishes). Please be careful to arrive by 9:45am for registration and refreshments. The course will start precisely on time and it may not be possible to go back over material missed by late arrivals. If you arrive over 30 minutes late you may be asked to leave and attend another day.

Please ensure you read our Terms and Conditions before booking for our payment terms and cancellation policy.

FAQs