Frequently Asked Questions - About Achieve Together

Achieve Together is the UC Berkeley staff performance program for non-represented employees. The program emphasizes ongoing performance development, coaching conversations, and clear guidelines for how we do our work through the Achievement Criteria performance indicators. 

The Achieve Together performance program began in April 2020. Achieve Together is grounded in a coaching culture and includes staff and managers having three formal check-in conversations about performance using six standardized questions. Check-in conversations are documented using an online form.

Individual employee performance contributions drive the results that accomplish the goals of UC Berkeley. The performance program is the mechanism by which managers/supervisors help translate unit goals, objectives, and performance standards to individual employee goals and expectations through ongoing check-in conversations.

The goal of Achieve Together is to support a workforce that is more agile, performance-driven and engaged. More frequent check-ins between managers and direct reports means greater engagement, fewer surprises, a better understanding of needs and expectations, more learning-in-place, less performance-related paperwork, and a clearer line of sight about how an individual’s performance contributes to the bigger picture. This simplified process should enable everyone to be more agile and help you focus on your work efforts.

Direct reports can expect their manager/supervisor to schedule the Achieve Together Check-in conversations at a time that is best for the team, but during the Check-in conversation time. During the scheduled conversation, your manager will ask the six Check-in questions, which you should be prepared to answer based on the prior four months being discussed. Finally, we do expect managers and supervisors to complete Growing as a Coach class or gain coaching skills through other means, such as the Cal Coaching Network. Feel free to ask your manager about how Achieve Together will work for you and your team.

If needed, ask your manager to schedule your check-in meeting. Then, get ready by familiarizing yourself with the 6 Check-in Questions so you can be prepared for your part of the conversation. Focus on what you want to share with your manager, what you want to ask from them, and what, if any, support you need. These conversations are intended to be two-way, so feel empowered to work with your manager in setting the agenda. You should also be prepared to discuss your goals going forward - do existing goals need updating, or are there new goals to include? 

Another important step is to ensure you are up to date on all of your Foundational Skills Required Training requirements. Anyone not current will receive a "Needs Attention" rating for the Achievement Criteria of Job Mastery.

All managers and supervisors should take the Berkeley People Management (BPM) Growing as a Coach. This course is designed to enable managers to build essential coaching skills for generating meaningful conversations, including how to ask powerful questions and to listen deeply. The Cal Coaching Network is also a great resource for managers to gain coaching skills. 

Another important step is to ensure that everyone on your team is up to date on all of their Foundational Skills Required Training requirements. Anyone not current will receive a "Needs Attention" rating for the Achievement Criteria of Job Mastery.

The biggest challenge is creating a new mindset around performance. Through resources and trainings, everyone can have a better understanding of Achieve Together in which employees welcome ongoing feedback, act upon it, and offer their own ideas for their growth and development.

The Performance Year for non-represented staff at UC Berkeley is April 1 - March 31 of the following year. This timing allows the final Check-in and selection of Performance Levels to be complete by early June, which then allows pay increases to go into effect as of the Fiscal Year (July 1st).

Achieve Together incorporates Inclusion & Belonging as an Achievement Criteria and outlines behavioral anchors for the Achievement Criteria at the Needs Attention, Well Done, and Stand Out level. Upholding inclusive behaviors leads to a workplace in which we can all feel like we belong, and ultimately drive UC Berkeley to greater heights through our support of one another's identities and cultures. Check out the short video explaining the Inclusion and Belonging Achievement criteria.