It’s that time of year again. Communication skills are in the spotlight, entire evenings of public speaking, and winners connecting with their audience. It’s award season, with a number of glitzy, glamorous TV and film ceremonies toasting the great and the good, applauding and awarding performance.

But what does award season and the annual performance review have in common?

When leaders and managers have important conversation with their employees that can make all the difference. And if your communication skills could benefit with some support to make these conversations easier check out my one to one course, Communication Spark.

When you find out if you’re a valued member of the team.

What the boss thinks of you.

How well your career is going.

Whether your communication skills are getting you noticed for the right reasons.

And if they see leadership potential in you and the ability to get things done well.

Read on for the 24 similarities between the awards season and the annual appraisal conversation…

🙌 The best moments of last year are celebrated.

😁 A fixed, glassy smile makes lots of appearances.

😞 Some will go home disappointed.

🏆 Some finally get the credit they deserve.

💖 Some say it’s all thanks to their lovely mum.

🎤 There are a lots and lots of monologues.

There can be tears…
😂 Of joy
😿 Of bewilderment
😭 Of disappointment.

💻 There will be technical categories that few understand.

😵‍💫 There will be judging criteria that few understand.

📉 There will be paperwork that few understand.

🥱 It will give people sleepless nights.

🗣️ Someone delivers a well thought out speech.

⏳ Someone delivers a "making this up right now" speech.

🙊 Someone delivers all the words ever in their speech.

🥇 It’s not a popularity contest but it totally is.

👗 You buy a new dress.

🧦 You choose the snazzy socks that day.

🩲 You wear your lucky pants.

🥰 It makes you value your role.

😡 It makes you realise you need a new role - now.

🕰️ It runs over time.

📅 And finally, people are relieved that’s it over for another 12 months…