Research Brief
A recording for this session isn't published. Below is the BPI editorial brief — key takeaways, an in-depth summary, and FAQs drawn from the original session materials and the presenter's body of work.
Presenter
David S. Cohen
**The truth behind performance management, and new methods that make performance management transformational rather than a transactional experience.**
Description
Performance Management is a hot-topic, yet everyone hates it. We all want to create the new formula. Everyone wants the secret ingredient to improve performance and productivity. And ironically, the system we have now has created more angst and concern than it has productivity. People are re-evaluating performance evaluation and moving toward a more frequent process of feedback and the elimination of reviews. During this session, you will learn and discuss:
- The trials and tribulations of the performance management process.
- How do the best performance management processes work
- What has worked for GE
- How would they do it differently Learn from a leader of the performance management process at GE as well as David Cohen, author of Inside the Box: Leading with Corporate Values to Drive Sustained Business Success.
Learning Points
Trials and tribulations of the performance management process. How do the best performance management processes work What has worked for GE How would they do it differently Learn from a leader of the performance management process at GE as well as David Cohen, author of Inside the Box: Leading with Corporate Values to Drive Sustained Business Success.
Key Takeaways
- 1.Traditional performance management systems often create more anxiety than productivity.
- 2.Many organizations are shifting away from annual reviews toward more frequent feedback processes.
- 3.The goal is to move performance management from a transactional task to a transformational experience.
- 4.The webinar analyzes the successes and challenges of GE's performance management process.
- 5.The session explores how to replace outdated performance management methods with more effective ones.
- 6.David Cohen, the presenter, is the author of "Inside the Box: Leading with Corporate Values to Drive Sustained Business Success."
The Problem with Performance Management
Performance management is a critical but often disliked process in many organizations. The existing systems frequently create more anxiety and concern than they do productivity, leading many companies to re-evaluate their approach. The common feeling is that traditional performance evaluation is a broken, transactional process.
Shifting from Transactional to Transformational
This webinar, featuring David S. Cohen, author of Inside the Box: Leading with Corporate Values to Drive Sustained Business Success, explores how to move performance management from a transactional chore to a transformational and productive experience. The key is shifting toward a more frequent process of feedback and moving away from the formal, often dreaded, annual review.
Key Discussion Areas:
- Trials and Tribulations: The session examines the common challenges and frustrations associated with traditional performance management.
- Best Practices: Discover how the best performance management processes are structured to be effective and add value.
- A View from GE: Learn about the performance management practices that have worked at GE and what the company might do differently now.
This session delves into the crucial shift from traditional, often ineffective performance management to a transformative approach that truly impacts individuals and organizations. It explores why conventional methods fall short and introduces new methodologies designed to convert performance reviews into meaningful growth opportunities.
What you'll learn
- The limitations and truths behind traditional performance management systems.
- Innovative methods for making performance management a transformational experience.
- Strategies to move beyond transactional interactions in performance reviews.
- How to foster a culture of continuous development and improvement.
- Insights into creating a more engaging and impactful performance dialogue.
Who this webinar is for
- HR professionals and leaders seeking to refresh their performance management strategies.
- Managers interested in developing their teams more effectively.
- Organizational development specialists looking for new tools and frameworks.
- Executives aiming to cultivate high-performing cultures.
- Anyone involved in employee feedback, development, and growth.
Why it matters now
Effective performance management remains a cornerstone of organizational success, yet many existing systems fail to motivate or develop employees adequately. In today's dynamic work environment, the need for agile, forward-looking performance discussions has never been greater. Shifting from a transactional mindset to a transformational one ensures that performance processes actively contribute to employee engagement, skill development, and overall business objectives.
How leaders can apply this
Leaders can immediately begin by re-evaluating their current performance review cycles, focusing on shifting the conversation from past failures to future growth. Implement more frequent, informal check-ins that encourage continuous feedback and coaching rather than annual assessments. Encourage a growth mindset across teams, emphasizing learning and adaptation. David S. Cohen's insights suggest focusing on development plans and skill-building as core components, making performance management a process of empowerment and strategic alignment rather than merely evaluation.
About this session
Key takeaways
Watching this webinar gives you grounded, practical perspective on workplace culture. Expect ideas you can use in leadership conversations, not abstract theory, drawn from David S. Cohen's direct experience.
Who this is for
CHROs, HR business partners, talent leaders, executive coaches, organizational development practitioners, and senior leaders who are responsible for workplace culture inside their organization.
Why it matters now
Workforce expectations, hybrid work patterns, and AI-driven change keep raising the bar on culture and leadership. Sessions like this help leaders make smarter, more evidence-informed decisions about workplace culture.
How to apply it
Use the ideas here to challenge a current assumption on your team, design a single concrete experiment in the next 30 days, and bring one finding back to your leadership group for discussion.