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Glossary of Performance Terminology

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Ability

The quality or state of being able to perform, achieve or accomplish a task.

Action Learning

A form of learning that relies extensively on a "trial and error" approach whereby participants

asses their previous actions and experiences to help create new behaviors, structures and

processes for improving organizational effectiveness.

Active Listening

The process of attending carefully to what a speaker is saying, involving such techniques as

accurately paraphrasing the speaker's remarks and using body language to demonstrate the

listener understands what the speaker is saying both verbally and nonverbally. Also known as

empathetic listening.

Algorithm

A logical process involving a specific number of steps by which problems can be solved and

decisions made.

Anthropology

The study of the origins and social relationships of human beings.

Appreciative Inquiry

An organizational performance improvement coaching initiative which rather than taking the typical

approach of centering on identifying and solving organizational performance problems, focuses o

what an organization’s people are already doing well—what is currently working and why, and seeks

to find ways to amplify and leverage these strengths to develop excellence in other areas of an

organization’s operations.

Aptitude

A natural or inborn inclination for learning and proficiency in a particular activity or discipline. A talent.

Attribute (noun)

A quality or characteristic inherent in or ascribed to someone or something.

Attitude

A collection of personal beliefs, feelings and values that influence a person's manner of response

(behavior) to specific ideas, objects, persons or situations. Attitudes can be situational or can develop

into habitual, long-term patterns of behavior

Assessment

An appraisal of the relative rank, level or position of something. A learning assessment is a method

or procedure by which a person's learning performance is measured, usually by comparing it to a

specific learning outcome standard.

Assessment Center

A process in which a group of specially trained assessors evaluate existing or potential employees

against established criteria for specific job-related skills, competencies and character traits using using

exercises and that simulate actual job situations.

Asynchronous Learning

An instructional format in which a learner and trainer do not interact in real time, such as in distance or

web-based learning.