LINK:

https://growthlevels.symph.co/⁠

⁠

The Growth Review happens every quarter. It's how we evaluate performance, skills, and team contributions over the past three months.

🗓️ When it happens

Every quarter - Full performance review

Check if people are meeting their current level

Track progress and development

Share feedback for continuous improvement

Twice a year - Salary assessments

Adjust levels based on demonstrated growth

Update compensation to be consistent with the level

🧑‍💻 How It Works

Two Dimensions of Performance 📃

Every Sympher is evaluated on:

Values - How we work together and embody Symph's culture

Skills - The quality and impact of what we deliver

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 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

There are no rows in this table

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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 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

There are no rows in this table

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Drivers (Levels 6-10) Leaders who amplify impact across the organization, shape strategy, and develop others.

Level 6-10

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

There are no rows in this table

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The Review Process ✏️

Self-reflection - Each person assesses their own level

Peer input - Team members evaluate those they work with directly

Synthesis - Chiefs review all inputs and determine final levels

Growth conversations - Everyone has 1:1 discussions about their development

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:

Look for evidence of behaviors happening regularly (not one-time occurrences)

Consider: Can they do this reliably? Do they need guidance? Is it consistent?