D is for… Development
Identifying areas for future development is a large part of the preparation for your appraisal. Eeven if it only relates to a few minutes of discussion in your actual appraisal.
As part of your review of your accomplishments and the role competencies and your career journal needs you also need to try to identify any areas where you felt you struggled, or where others felt that you lacked experience. You should also be thinking about skills/knowledge/experience do you need to develop to help you achieve your own personal career goals?
You should be honest in your appraisal about your areas for development and come prepared with an action plan. This might mean asking for coaching, mentoring, training, or whatever support you need to develop and improve.
Do some work in advance by looking at courses and training activities (both internal and external) and doing your research so that you can come to your appraisal prepared and ready to discuss your list of possibilities.
Remember it doesn’t just have to be training courses – skills can be learnt and developed in different ways.