Growth Review
The Growth Review happens every quarter. It's how we evaluate performance, skills, and team contributions over the past three months.
🗓️ When it happens
🧑💻 How It Works
Two Dimensions of Performance 📃
Every Sympher is evaluated on:
These aren't separate scores—they combine into a single level that represents your overall contribution.
Our Level Framework 📊
Performance Support Needed (Level 0)
Team members who need immediate support and focused development.
Level 0
LEVEL
VALUES
SKILLS
L0
L0 - NEEDS ASSESSMENT
- Responds to messages but communication is unclear or incomplete
- Rarely asks questions when confused, leading to incorrect work
- Defensive when receiving feedback rather than asking clarifying questions
L0 - NEEDS ASSESSMENT
- Frequently misses agreed deadlines without advance warning
- Work quality varies significantly - sometimes good, often needs rework
- Requires frequent check-ins to stay on track
Builders (Levels 1-5)
Our core contributors who create value through execution. From those learning the ropes to seasoned professionals delivering consistent results.
Level 1-5
LEVEL
VALUES
SKILLS
L1
L1 - ASSOCIATE
- Responds to messages and questions within reasonable timeframes
- When stuck, asks specific questions instead of staying blocked
- When given feedback, asks clarifying questions and implements changes
L1 - ASSOCIATE
- Completes assigned tasks that have clear requirements
- Asks for clarification when requirements are unclear
- Delivers work that meets the stated requirements
L2
L2 - PROFESSIONAL
- In meetings, proactively contributes ideas or asks questions that move discussion forward
- Offers to help when someone is stuck on something you know
- Follows up on commitments without needing reminders
L2 - PROFESSIONAL
- Completes work without needing check-ins on progress
- When encountering problems, tries solutions independently
- Delivers work that consistently meets quality expectations
L3
L3 - SPECIALIST
- When you solve a problem, you document/systemize it so others don't have to solve it again
- In team discussions, you surface potential issues before they become problems
- When you disagree with an approach, you explain why and suggest alternatives
L3 - SPECIALIST
- Takes on work with ambiguous requirements and clarifies them independently
- When completing work, verifies it actually works before handing it off
- Identifies ways to improve quality or efficiency and implements them
L4
L4 - EXPERT
- When seeing a problem that affects the project, flags it immediately regardless of whose responsibility it is
- When someone needs help and they can provide it, does so without being asked
- Makes decisions without seeking approval first
L4 - EXPERT
- When handed a project, breaks it down and executes without step-by-step guidance
- Spots problems in requirements or approach before starting work and addresses them
- Work rarely needs revisions
L5
L5 - SENIOR
- When a project is at risk, identifies it and proposes solutions
- When trade-offs are needed, makes the call and communicates it
- When something fails within the team, takes responsibility and fixes it
L5 - SENIOR
- Delivers entire projects from start to finish, coordinating across functions as needed
- When priorities conflict, makes informed decisions about what matters most
- Projects consistently meet goals on time and budget
Drivers (Levels 6-10)
Leaders who amplify impact across the organization, shape strategy, and develop others.
Level 6-10
LEVEL
VALUES
SKILLS
L6
L6 - LEAD
- Identifies systemic problems and fixes them
- When seeing someone about to make a mistake, intervenes with specific feedback
- Makes decisions that might slow their work but speed up the team
L6 - LEAD
- Sets the technical/creative/strategic approach that others follow
- When facing ambiguous problems, defines the solution path
- Other people come to them first when they have complex problems in their domain
L7
L7 - PRINCIPAL
- Defines what "good enough" means for their domain and holds that standard
- When seeing approaches that won't work, challenges them even if it's uncomfortable
- Makes decisions that affect how multiple projects operate
L7 - PRINCIPAL
- Determines which capabilities or infrastructure their domain should build
- When making decisions, balances immediate needs with long-term implications
- Represents their domain's capability and direction to the company
L8
L8 - DIRECTOR
- Identifies when company priorities are misaligned and raises it
- When decisions need to be made across domains, drives them to resolution
- Speaks up on company direction even when it's outside their domain
L8 - DIRECTOR
- Leads initiatives that span multiple teams or domains
- When there are major organizational challenges, helps navigate and set direction for the team
- Decisions affect how the company operates, not just their domain
L9
L9 - ADVISOR
- Decides what the company focuses on and what it doesn't
- When there are competing strategic company priorities, makes the final call
- Takes responsibility for company-level outcomes
L9 - ADVISOR
- Sets company strategy for 1-3 years out
- Makes decisions that determine whether the company succeeds or fails
- Aligns the entire organization around priorities and direction
L10
L10 - PARTNER
- Builds systems that work regardless of who's operating them
- Makes decisions that shape what the company becomes 5-10 years from now
- Creates strategic advantages that competitors can't easily copy
L10 - PARTNER
- Defines what the company should be known for in the market
- Makes decisions that fundamentally change how the business operates
- Builds capabilities that transform company trajectory
The Review Process ✏️
Finding the Right Level
We use descriptions for each level for values and skills. The goal is to have honest conversations about where someone truly is today and what growth looks like.
When assessing:
🚀 Our Philosophy
This is about:
The Growth Review will evolve as Symph evolves. As we refine our values and better understand what makes Symph special, this system will adapt too.