Performance Reviews & Recognition
The Good, the Bad, and the Pointless
Join us live!
About this Webinar
A live conversation on what works - and what doesn't - when it comes to feedback, recognition, and performance.
Why does the relationship between performance and recognition even matter?
Because too many teams still treat them like separate worlds. Recognition is seen as warm and fuzzy. Performance reviews are formal and high-stakes. And the result? Feedback systems that feel disconnected, inconsistent, or downright pointless.
This live conversation brings together experts and practitioners who've seen what works - and what doesn’t - when it comes to aligning recognition and performance in ways that actually motivate teams and improve outcomes.
We'll explore:
The Good: When performance & recognition work together
- Recognition that reinforces goals and values
- Performance conversations that celebrate as well as correct
- Real-world stories of integrated systems that drive results
- Data linking recognition to improved performance outcomes
The Bad: When they're siloed or misused
- Praise that feels fluffy or unrelated to goals
- Reviews that feel punitive, vague, or too infrequent
- Systems that look good on paper but fall flat with teams
The Pointless: When performance tools undermine recognition
- Stack ranking and gamified tools that destroy trust
- Managers hoarding praise instead of sharing it
- Employees surprised by their reviews—and not in a good way
The Fix: How to build a healthy, integrated feedback culture
- Daily rituals that make recognition part of the flow of work
- Performance systems designed for conversation, not scoring
- Tools that reinforce trust, alignment, and autonomy
You'll leave with real-world examples, a handy checklist for alignment, and fresh ideas to take back to your team.
Who should attend?
- People & Culture leaders looking to upgrade their performance systems
- HR professionals rethinking their approach to recognition
- Managers and team leads who want to give better feedback
- Anyone who thinks annual reviews alone aren't cutting it
Hosts
Matthew Meadows 
Expert in goal-setting and performance systems
Founder, WorkStory
Matthew is passionate about helping organizations streamline their feedback and performance review processes. His journey has been rooted in a belief that effective feedback, when continuous and purposeful, is the key to unlocking growth, improving culture, and empowering teams.
Kim Minnick
Shares real stories from the HR trenches
Founder, Code Traveller & Head of Member Experience, Fractional People People
Kim Minnick is a fractional People Ops leader and founder of Coach Traveller HR, known for her candid, culture-first approach to modern HR. With a background in startups and a strong voice on LinkedIn, she challenges outdated practices and embraces agile, feedback-driven methods that align with real team dynamics. Kim blends humor, heart, and strategy—sharing insights on performance, engagement, and boundary-setting while helping organizations build workplaces where people can genuinely thrive.
Rachel Kleban
Brings a data-informed, behavioral science lens to the discussion
VP of People, OpenPhone
Rachel Kleban is a seasoned HR leader with over 20 years of experience, currently serving as VP of People at OpenPhone and founder of LevelUp, a startup focused on helping early—stage companies build transparent leveling frameworks. She's successfully scaled people operations at high—growth tech organizations like Airbnb and VSCO, with a deep passion for designing equitable systems around pay, performance, and promotions. Known for her strategic leadership and culture-first mindset, Rachel champions clarity, simplicity, and transparency in everything from engagement surveys to performance calibrations—making workplaces more fair and people-centered.
Una Japundza
Brings the peer recognition & culture lens
Chief Revenue Officer, HeyTaco
Una helps companies turn peer recognition into a daily habit that fuels culture and connection. She believes recognition and gratitude are essential tools for building teams people love to be part of.