Following Directions: 40 Useful Performance Feedback Phrases

Following Directions is the skill of carefully considering the given instructions and following them closely without fail.

Following Directions: Exceeds Expectations Phrases

• Listens intently in order to understand what one needs to do and deliver appropriately
• Is highly organized; takes notes in order to capture every detail instead of trying to remember everything
• Asks questions when slightly unsure of what one is being asked to do in order to find out all the needed details to move forward
• Checks things off as one goes to make sure one does not miss anything and reviews the work after it is done
• Is respectful; listens when the bosses talk and only responds when one is asked to
• Is attentive to one's tasks and avoids making the bosses ask one to do something more than once
• Does what one can to help around the office without being specifically ordered to do so
• Considers the employer's point of view instead of arguing about it, shouting or being uncompassionate
• Immediately summarizes what one has heard and verifies the procedures and directions one has been given before starting a task
• Divides a task into phases and sets up a follow up with one's manager to discuss the already finished phases in order to make sure one is headed in the right direction

Following Directions: Meets Expectations Phrases

• Expresses one's disagreement in a polite manner; calmly explains one's side of things with facts, and does not only rely on feelings
• Makes sure one has all the information needed before starting any task or project in order to avoid producing incorrect work
• Prepares a project board to display pertinent information, a timeline and the names of people involved in a project and their tasks
• Makes sure not to misread or skip an important direction; pays attention to detail, even if it seems insignificant to one
• Keeps copies of detailed and complicated directions on files for projects and tasks that are done infrequently, for future reference
• Consults with someone familiar with how a task is done, if possible, to make sure one is doing it right
• Reads directions in the order they are written on the project and avoids skipping ahead and forgetting to go back
• Pays attention to long-term projects and makes sure to not fritter away one's time at work surfing on the internet
• Does what one is asked to do in the workplace as long as it is moral, reasonable and harmless
• Maintains eye contact when receiving instructions in order to show the instructor one is interested

Following Directions: Needs Improvement Phrases

• Assumes one knows everything thus does not bother to seek clarification on things that are not clear before starting a task or project
• Frequently misses important information thus, causes breakdown in communication which leads to incorrect work and lack of business
• Does not take notes when receiving oral directions; just listens to the instructor without noting key points down
• Does not read written directions carefully; quickly gets bored with reading lengthy instructions
• Reads directions but often mixes up tasks that need to be done in a certain order
• Does not review tasks after finishing them thus often submits incorrect work or work with errors
• Considers reading instructions a waste of time; rushes through tasks just to complete them in time without reading instructions thus, makes lots of mistakes
• Shies away from asking for clarification to avoid dealing with people who think that one does not understand the directions or does not know how to do the job
• Does not take time to understand the purpose of the instructions
• Does not ask for help from the instructor or colleagues who have done the same tasks or projects

Following Directions: Self Evaluation Questions

• Can you give an example of a time when you were able to demonstrate your ability to follow instructions?
• How do you make sure that you remember all the instructions you have received to perform a certain task?
• Which is one time you have made mistakes due to not following directions? Were the mistakes fixed? How did you do it?
• How do you react to a colleague who regularly fails to follow instructions?
• How do you help a colleague improve his/her ability to follow instructions?
• Describe a situation when you felt that instructions to a certain task or project were not communicated well. What did you do?
• Can you describe a time when you received complex instructions? How did you make sure you understood each and every detail?
• Is there a time when you have had to speak up in order to be sure that the instructor knew what you thought or felt about the instructions?
• Is there a time you have had a conflict with a customer or colleague due to not following simple instructions? How did you resolve the conflict?
• Describe a time when you missed some steps in a project due to not paying attention to details. How did you fix it?