Performance Philosophy at Northwestern
Performance Excellence (PEX) is Northwestern’s annual performance management experience. In the dynamic landscape of today’s professional world, performance management is not a destination; it is a journey of learning and growing.
Throughout the lifecycle of this year-round experience, staff members and supervisors collaborate to bolster individual growth, contributing to team goals, and leading to organizational effectiveness. The program is structured across three phases—Set Goals, Enhance Performance, and Review Results—integrating both offline discussions and online tracking mechanisms. The underpinning philosophy of Northwestern's year-round Performance Excellence management experience revolves around fostering continuous improvement, individual empowerment, and collaborative growth.
The program is rooted in the belief that performance management is not a once-a-year event but an ongoing, dynamic process. The three core phases—Set Goals, Enhance Performance, and Review Results—reflect a commitment to sustained development and achievement.
Year-Round Workflow for Performance Management
Set Goals
The emphasis on goal-setting at the beginning of the performance year underscores the importance of clarity and alignment, ensuring that individual objectives not only contribute meaningfully to the broader goals of the school or unit but also allow customization based on your strengths, passions, and growth areas. Recognizing that everyone’s journey is personal and unique, your goals reflect that journey and document your progress as an integral part of our collective success story.Enhance Performance
The philosophy recognizes that performance is a shared responsibility, with both staff members and supervisors actively engaging in a partnership that promotes ongoing learning, performance enhancement, and career fulfillment through ongoing conversations, constructive feedback, and coaching.Review Results
Moreover, the philosophy underscores the idea that awareness of one's strengths and areas for improvement is crucial for continuous growth. The year-end review process, facilitated through myHR Learn, not only provides opportunity for review and reflection, but also aligns with a forward-looking perspective, encouraging conversations focused on growth and development.
