Ultimate list of dependability performance review phrases with examples
Explore dependability phrases and examples you can use in employee performance reviews. Understand why dependability is important and how you can encourage it.
Dependability is a key trait of a positive work environment. The World Economic Forum ranks it as the 6th most important skill workers need. [1] It’s not glamorous, but every business leans on it like a load-bearing beam. You might define it as a pattern of small promises kept among team members and by the greater company system.
When someone keeps their word, completes a difficult task on time, responds to an email when they said they would, a powerful social contract is fulfilled - one that says, ‘You can trust me’.
When these small promises add up, they form the foundation of trust and smooth teamwork. That’s why dependability shows up so often in performance reviews, but actually describing it in clear, fair language can be unexpectedly difficult.
Quick Overview
Dependability performance review phrases help managers and employees describe the behaviors that communicate reliability, trust, integrity, and trustworthiness in an employee. Using these phrases provides a common language for expressing observable behavior, whilst reducing bias and opinion-based reviews.
Table of Contents
- What does dependability mean in the workplace?
- Dependability: Employee performance review phrases
- Dependability: Examples you can use in the performance review process
- Final thoughts
- FAQs: Dependability performance review phrases
What does dependability mean in the workplace?
Dependability reflects how consistently an employee behaves and performs in the workplace. This can be about communication skills, high-quality work, contribution to the team’s performance, or project deadlines. The words reliable or steady can also be used to describe these behaviors. [2]
Dependable team members do not leave work outstanding, cause others unnecessary stress or conflict, and don’t leave others uncertain about their commitment. There are five key aspects that can be used to recognize dependability:
- Consistency over time
- Accountability or ownership
- Good time management
- Follow through on tasks
- Trustworthiness
Discussions about employee behavior are more effective when treated as coaching opportunities. Learn models and key pillars for coaching employees for success in the workplace.
Dependability: Employee performance review phrases
To provide constructive feedback and streamline performance review comments, it helps to define levels of dependability. Sharing these with team members provides a common language and understanding of behaviors that your company values.
Manager review phrases: When the employee exceeds expectations
Those who exceed expectations demonstrate a highly effective way of working that yields positive results in several areas.
Manager review phrases: When the employee displays satisfactory behaviors
Those who display satisfactory behaviors demonstrate they understand what needs to be done and how it needs to be done. However, there is room for improvement.
Manager review phrases: When an employee needs development
Those who need development are either learning or struggling to understand what is required and how to meet task/project outcomes. These positive and negative phrases should be supported with actions that can be taken for improvement.
🎁 Free Resource: 75 effective Performance Review Phrases examples help you find more phrases you can use in performance reviews.
Dependability: Examples you can use in the performance review process
You have the phrases, but now you’d like to give your employee examples to make it real for them. Examples provide a backstory, helping you to communicate effectively.
When you want to communicate strong dependability
- I appreciate that you consistently deliver your weekly reports ahead of time and are showing high levels of accuracy.
- I haven’t had to worry about whether our clients are onboarding correctly for months. This has shown how well you are managing this process and the trust I have in you.
- I was told by the client that you anticipated a project delay and handled it without involving me. I appreciate that you’re taking ownership of delays and challenging situations.
- I’m extremely pleased with how you’re showing strong leadership skills and have become a stable influence on your team.
- You have very strong communication skills. I regularly get good feedback on your emails and messages that go out.
When you want to communicate satisfactory dependability
- You deliver really good work the majority of the time, but I have noticed that some project timelines are delayed.
- I notice that you always have your work organized and communicate changes when they’re out of your control.
- You’re a really reliable employee when it comes to daily tasks; however, I’ve also noticed that things dip slightly when the pressure is on.
- You are generally good at supporting other team members, but I would like to see you do this consistently to achieve better results.
- You do not affect team morale negatively at any time, but what could you do to contribute positively to it?
When you want to communicate that dependability is inconsistent
- I’ve noticed that you often leave smaller tasks for other team members, and that affects team spirit. Can we discuss why this might be?
- You do a great job at starting tasks, but help me to understand why you then need multiple reminders to finish them.
- You failed to communicate changes to the project parameters, impacting the team’s ability to stay within budget. Why was this?
- I’m observing that you are impacting team performance negatively because you miss deadlines and don’t take ownership of that. What could be the reason for this?
- I’m struggling to find instances where you made contingency plans for a project to run according to schedule. Can you help?
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Final Thoughts
Dependability in the workplace is the consistent demonstration of positive and helpful behaviors that create a successful work environment. Defining what those behaviors look like and providing examples in performance review discussions helps to guide people toward improvement. The clearer these guidelines and examples are, the more trustworthy your feedback will be.
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FAQs: Dependability performance review phrases
1. How can I describe dependability in my performance review?
Dependability in the workplace is a term used to describe how a person completes assigned tasks, the overall commitment they show, and their contribution to the team. You can talk about how you follow through on commitments, the quality work you have delivered during the review period, and how team members have been able to consistently rely on your input and contribution.
2. What example can I use to explain reliability in a performance review?
A simple example might be how you consistently complete tasks without supervision, that you contribute creative solutions to everyday problems, and that you keep the promises you make. Another example could be picking up a project that was left incomplete, always meeting deadlines on projects, and keeping everyone up-to-date on task completion or delayed deadlines.
3. Is it necessary for everyone to be dependable in a workplace?
Reliable team members are the hallmark of well-functioning workplaces. People who are dependable need minimal supervision, take responsibility for their actions, have excellent time management skills, and practice active listening. They are consistent in high-pressure situations and have good emotional responses to unfamiliar situations.
4. How does dependability build a positive working environment?
Dependability creates a predictable environment, which reduces stress and uncertainty. When people know each other as having a positive attitude, a high quality of work, and a drive towards organisational success, they trust each other. Trust allows freedom to come up with innovative ideas and grow interpersonal skills in groups. This all contributes to a positive working environment.
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