I made senior rater counseling a key part of my battle rhythm and it paid huge dividends.  One TTP I found that was extremely successful was to actually enumerate the person I was counseling.  I would open every senior rater counseling with: “As you know, over the last two/three months my top three priorities are 1, 2, and 3. I currently senior rate 6 NCOs/Officers. I currently rate you 3 of 6.”

This is solid, quantifiable feedback which often takes the counseled Soldier aback. However it generates good discussion and frankly, your Soldiers deserve to know where they stand if you were to write their report card today. Your top and bottom performers are easy to identify, but the 3rd and 4th performer requires some thought on your end.  The discussion becomes much easier to focus on how to improve their standing, and how to do it within your commander’s intent.