Adapting to unforeseen situations is a required trait in almost every career. An employee who is unable to adapt in emergencies or is unable to change from routine might create problems for the company. Whether writing a self-review or writing a review on an employee or co-worker, it is important to write the review well. Adaptability is a challenging review topic. Objective and fair reviews are often hard to create, as biases can easily find their way into written reviews.

1. Look at the Employee's Performance for Adaptability

Look at performance facts. Look over all of the employee's work and accomplishments. Note which accomplishments, job duties and situations relate to adaptability. For example, an employee who works in a technology department and is asked to do an assignment that is unrelated but easily accomplished should feel comfortable performing that task.

If the employee becomes worried or is unable to complete the work, it is a sign of adapting challenges. A lack of adaptability should be applied to the employee only if the task was one the employee was capable of accomplishing, not if the work requires mastery in a separate field. Note in the review examples of the employee's ability to adapt or not adapt to situations.

2. Look at the Employee's Attitude

Look at attitude when adaptability is necessary. Employees who are stressed, high-strung or have a negative attitude when working in an area unrelated to their specific job are not adaptable, while employees who have a positive attitude and try to do the work are adaptable.

3. Write the Performance Review Citing Adaptability

Write the review. Base the review on facts and examples. Whenever stating a negative, back it with an example. If the employee is adaptable, give examples that show it.

For example, an employee who handled a sudden request from an employer, client or co-worker that was unrelated to the job description quickly and without complaint adapted well to the situation. Employees who handle emergency situations, such as a fire, without panicking and with organization, such as getting others out of the building or putting out the fire before it is large enough to spread, are very adaptable.

4. Avoid Using Bias Statements or Words

Avoid using bias statements or words. Do not put the word “attitude” in a review. When the problem is an “attitude” when adaptability is necessary, write instead that the individual did not perform the task adequately or they voiced complaints that were unreasonable.

Avoid statements that are easily misunderstood. Always use examples of specific tangible situations that prove the comments rather than a simple statement.

5. Re-Read the Review Before Submitting

Read the review a second time before submitting it. Check that the examples prove the positive or negative review, that the review is unbiased and that there are no mistakes grammatically.