Positive Performance
Verbs that can be used to describe positive performance.Acted | Adapted |
Addressed | Adjusted |
Administered | Advocated |
Allocated | Analyzed |
Answered | Architected |
Arranged | Assembled |
Assessed | Attained |
Audited | Authored |
Balanced | Began |
Budgeted | Built |
Calculated | Chaired |
Closed | Coached |
Coded | Collaborated |
Combined | Communicated |
Compiled | Composed |
Computed | Conceptualized |
Conducted | Conserved |
Consulted | Controlled |
Converted | Convinced |
Coordinated | Corrected |
Counseled | Created |
Customized | Decided |
Defined | Demonstrated |
Designed | Determined |
Developed | Directed |
Displayed | Distributed |
Drafted | Drew |
Eliminated | Ensured |
Established | Estimated |
Evaluated | Executed |
Expedited | Experimented |
Explained | Explored |
Facilitated | Filed |
Forecasted | Formulated |
Furthered | Generated |
Governed | Guided |
Handled | Hired |
Hosted | Improved |
Incorporated | Increased |
Individualized | Influenced |
Informed | Initiated |
Instituted | Instructed |
Interpreted | Intervened |
Interviewed | Invented |
Involved | Led |
Listened | Located |
Maintained | Managed |
Marketed | Measured |
Mediated | Mentored |
Merged | Mitigated |
Modeled | Monitored |
Motivated | Navigated |
Negotiated | Operated |
Optimized | Originated |
Outlined | Overhauled |
Oversaw | Performed |
Persuaded | Planned |
Prepared | Presented |
Presided | Prevented |
Prioritized | Processed |
Produced | Projected |
Promoted | Proposed |
Publicized | Recommended |
Reconciled | Recorded |
Recruited | Rectified |
Reduced | Regulated |
Reinforced | Remodeled |
Repaired | Replaced |
Reported | Represented |
Researched | Reshaped |
Resolved | Responded |
Retrieved | Reviewed |
Revised | Routed |
Scheduled | Secured |
Selected | Simulated |
Solved | Spoke |
Standardized | Stimulated |
Streamlined | Strengthened |
Studied | Submitted |
Supervised | Supplied |
Systematized | Tested |
Transformed | Updated |
Utilized | Validated |
Wrote |
Negative Performance
Verbs that can be used to describe negative performance or outcomes.Broke | Confused |
Damaged | Disappointed |
Disregarded | Eroded |
Failed | Fell Short |
Forgot | Ignored |
Lacked | Lost |
Miscommunicated | Misdirected |
Mismanaged | Missed |
Misunderstood | Neglected |
Overlooked | Upset |
Wasted |
Adverbs
In some cases, adverbs are used to modify the verb in a description of performance. These are used to highlight the positive or negative impact of an action.Always | Carefully |
Certainly | Clearly |
Completely | Consistently |
Continually | Directly |
Effectively | Efficiently |
Enthusiastically | Frequently |
Immediately | Quickly |
Regularly | Totally |
Active vs Passive
Positive performance is described with active voice whereby the individual is the doer of the verb. For example:Developed and deployed a revenue management system.
Negative performance can be described with passive voice whereby things happen without direct action by the individual. This is used because it is less accusatory.Budget was exceeded and deadlines were missed.
Summary
The following are common categories of verbs that are used to describe performance such as verbs for management, creative work and achievements.
