In evaluating narrative statements, which approach should supervisors adopt?

• A. Quantity-over-quality approach
• B. Quality-over-quantity approach
• C. Balance outcomes with effort
• D. Outcome-focused only

Answer: (B)

Focusing on quality over quantity is essential when evaluating narrative statements. A high-quality narrative clearly shows what the employee did, why it mattered, and how it tied to performance standards, using concrete examples, specifics, and measurable outcomes whenever possible. This makes feedback precise, actionable, and defensible, and it helps highlight genuine strengths and development needs without getting lost in filler or repetition.

The other approaches don’t fit as well because piling on statements without substance can bury real performance insights in volume, making it hard to pinpoint what's truly important. Balancing outcomes with effort can still fail to provide clear, evidence-based feedback if the statements aren’t specific and behavior-focused. Focusing only on outcomes ignores the behaviors and processes that produced those results, limiting guidance for improvement.