The end of the year is here, which means annual self-reviews are likely on your plate—especially if you’re working in corporate America. If you’re anything like me, this process can feel overwhelming, but it’s also a great opportunity to reflect on your growth, showcase your accomplishments, and prepare for your conversation with your boss.
I’m Brett, the AuDHD Boss. As an autistic leader with ADHD and over 10 years of leadership and training experience, I understand the unique challenges neurodivergent professionals face in the workplace. In this post, I’ll share actionable tips to help you ace your self-evaluation, especially if you’re navigating ADHD or autism in a corporate environment.
What is a Self-Review, and Why Does it Matter?
Your annual self-review is your chance to highlight your achievements, growth, and contributions over the past year. It’s also an opportunity to align your narrative with your team’s and company’s goals. Done well, a self-review can set the stage for a productive annual review conversation with your boss.
For many of us with ADHD or autism, though, self-reviews can be daunting. We may forget our goals, struggle to organize our thoughts, or feel hesitant to talk about our wins. But here’s the good news: with a clear plan, you can turn this process into a meaningful and empowering experience.
Step 1: Reflect on Your Goals
Let’s start by looking at the goals you set earlier in the year. In most workplaces, these goals are designed to align with your manager’s expectations and your team’s or company’s objectives.
If you haven’t been actively tracking your progress throughout the year, don’t worry—you’re not alone! Here’s a quick way to get up to speed:
- Review your calendar: Go through your meetings and agendas month by month. Look for key moments, projects, or discussions that relate to your goals.
- Identify wins and challenges: What did you accomplish? What projects grew or evolved? Did your priorities shift, and if so, why?
If you notice a goal you didn’t fully achieve, don’t frame it as a failure. Instead, explain how priorities changed or how you grew through the process. For example, “While I didn’t complete X, I shifted my focus to Y, which aligned better with the team’s evolving priorities.”
Step 2: Write a Clear and Concise Narrative
When writing your self-review, focus on:
- Your accomplishments: Highlight specific wins and tie them back to company goals.
- Your growth: Describe how you’ve developed skills, tackled challenges, or adapted to changing priorities.
- Your learnings: Reflect on what you’ve learned and how it will benefit your role moving forward.
Remember, this isn’t the time to undersell yourself! Many of us, especially if we’re neurodivergent, shy away from “bragging,” but your self-review is your chance to showcase your strengths.
Here’s an example of a strong narrative:
- “One of my goals was to improve cross-team collaboration. By initiating biweekly check-ins with key stakeholders, I not only improved project alignment but also reduced delays by 15%. This experience strengthened my communication skills and taught me how to lead collaborative efforts more effectively.”
Step 3: Align Your Goals with the Bigger Picture
One key to a successful self-review is aligning your personal goals with your manager’s goals and the company’s overall objectives. If there’s a gap between what you set out to do and where your team ended up, use your self-review to bridge that gap.
For example:
- “Although my original goal was focused on X, I shifted my efforts to Y based on our department’s updated priorities. This allowed me to contribute directly to our quarterly KPIs, resulting in Z.”
This approach shows that you’re adaptable and focused on the success of the team.
Step 4: Use Tools and Strategies to Stay Organized
If you’re juggling ADHD or autism, staying organized during the self-review process can be a challenge. Here are a few strategies that work for me:
- Write your draft offline: Use a tool like Google Docs to write and edit your review before entering it into your company’s system.
- Bullet your key points: Stick to concise, impactful statements. Long paragraphs can be hard for managers to skim.
- Keep notes year-round: As you prepare for next year, try to jot down wins and key projects monthly. Even brief notes can make a big difference when it’s time to reflect.
Step 5: Advocate for Yourself
Finally, use your self-review to advocate for what you need. Whether it’s a specific project, additional support, or accommodations, this is the time to communicate your needs clearly.
For example:
- “This year, I excelled in [specific area]. Looking ahead, I’d like to take on more opportunities in [related area] to continue developing my skills.”
Final Thoughts
Your annual self-review isn’t just a formality—it’s a powerful tool to take ownership of your career, highlight your contributions, and set the tone for a successful conversation with your boss.
By approaching your self-review with intention and a strengths-based mindset, you can not only showcase your value but also set the stage for growth and success in the new year.
Need More Help?
Looking for more workplace tips for ADHD and autism? Check out my YouTube channel, where I share insights and strategies to help neurodivergent professionals thrive in corporate environments.
Good luck with your self-review—you’ve got this!