How Krithika Bounced Back After a Negative Performance Review
- Lauren Baptiste
- Sep 22
- 2 min read
When Krithika received her year-end review, it wasn’t what she expected. It wasn’t terrible—but it wasn’t stellar.
“I knew I could do better… I just needed support to figure out how I can be successful in this new role.”
For a high-achieving management consultant, anything less than excellence hits hard. And for Krithika, it didn’t just impact her work—it followed her home.
“It’s so easy to start beating yourself up… and that bleeds into the rest of your life.”
The Hidden Weight of a Negative Performance Review
What made this especially tough?
It was her first review in a new role
She didn’t have the systems or structure to thrive yet
She was already managing emotional labor and stress from work
The negative performance review became the spark—but the fire had been burning for a while.
The Turning Point: Choosing Support Before Spiraling Over a Negative Performance Review
Instead of letting self-doubt spiral into burnout, Krithika made a bold decision: she joined my 1:1 coaching program, Freedom.
“If you told me I’d be feeling positive, optimistic, and confident in four months—I wouldn’t have believed you. But here I am.”
Inside Freedom: Rebuilding with Strategy and Structure
Over six months, we focused on:
Creating new daily and weekly rhythms that actually worked for her schedule
Identifying clear expectations and roadmaps for success at work
Strengthening routines around food, movement, and personal time
Building a more compassionate inner voice to replace constant self-critique
“I have control of how my day goes… and that makes it easier to deal with everything else.”
Tangible Results: Recognition, Consistency, Confidence
By month four:
Her supervisor gave positive feedback on her growth and contributions
Her output and meeting presence improved—noticeably
She stopped obsessing over every decision and started trusting her instincts
She began taking better care of herself—with real structure, not just good intentions
“I’ve been able to own my own power. I’m showing up more confidently—and the quality of my work reflects that.”
You Don’t Need to Start Over. You Just Need a System.
Krithika didn’t leave her job. She didn’t overhaul her life. She implemented the right support, at the right time.
If you're a high-achieving professional navigating a negative performance review or a tough transition, know this: you don’t have to white-knuckle your way through it.
You can bounce back—with clarity, structure, and momentum.
Have you subscribed to my newsletter? If you’ve ever thought, “I know I can do better, I just don’t know how,” this is for you. The newsletter is made for high-achieving professionals in accounting, finance, law, and consulting who are navigating big roles, high stakes, and constant pressure to perform. Each week, I share practical strategies to stop spiraling after tough reviews, build habits that actually stick, and lead with confidence—without burning out in the process. Subscribe here.
What You’ll Learn From This Interview:
What a negative performance review can trigger in high-achievers
Why performance dips don’t always mean you’re unqualified
How coaching helped Krithika regain control, clarity, and confidence at work
The structure and habits she implemented to stay consistent and grounded
Why you don’t need to “start over” to bounce back
Watch The Full Interview:
