Why Are Performance Reviews So Overwhelming? Annual performance reviews are an excellent opportunity for employees and management to interact to discuss goals, responsibilities, necessary improvements, kudos, opportunities, and summarize everything from the previous year. No wonder they are overwhelming! They do not need to be - learn about how you can get a handle on performance reviews, how to motivate your team, and why the "tried and true" system of once a year check-ins can and needs to, change.