Comments on: My Performance Sucks, and I’m Proud of It! http://blog.jtimothyking.com/2006/05/19/my-performance-sucks-and-im-proud-of-it Stories of a Self-published, Entrepreneurial Fiction Author (née Software Guy) Thu, 21 Aug 2008 06:14:49 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.1 By: J. Timothy King http://blog.jtimothyking.com/2006/05/19/my-performance-sucks-and-im-proud-of-it#comment-767 J. Timothy King Fri, 26 May 2006 23:37:34 +0000 http://blog.jtimothyking.com/2006/05/19/my-performance-sucks-and-im-proud-of-it#comment-767 Hi, Mr. Angry, and hello, Simon. In every company I've worked, the performance reviews were indeed a waste of time. And they had negative effects, whether or not they were linked to salary. (Because for most of us, it's not about the money; it's about the credit, and we simply see raises as a proxy for credit.) But I like <a href="http://www.manager-tools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=41">what Mark Horstman wrote about performance appraisals</a>, though I have not myself worked for a manager that does performance reviews right (but my last manager came really close): <blockquote> Performance evaluations (annual reviews) are only the <em>end</em> of the overall performance feedback system that exists in <em>every</em> organization. The reason everybody hates the review is not because the review is inherently bad, but because there has been no work in advance of the review, and thus the manager has <em>no credibility</em> to deliver feedback. When managers start giving regular feedback—and I mean regular as in every day—things change very quickly. And the annual review simply becomes a compilation of strengths and opportunities already discussed, and as a platform for next year. </blockquote> -TimK Hi, Mr. Angry, and hello, Simon. In every company I’ve worked, the performance reviews were indeed a waste of time. And they had negative effects, whether or not they were linked to salary. (Because for most of us, it’s not about the money; it’s about the credit, and we simply see raises as a proxy for credit.) But I like what Mark Horstman wrote about performance appraisals, though I have not myself worked for a manager that does performance reviews right (but my last manager came really close):

Performance evaluations (annual reviews) are only the end of the overall performance feedback system that exists in every organization. The reason everybody hates the review is not because the review is inherently bad, but because there has been no work in advance of the review, and thus the manager has no credibility to deliver feedback.

When managers start giving regular feedback—and I mean regular as in every day—things change very quickly. And the annual review simply becomes a compilation of strengths and opportunities already discussed, and as a platform for next year.

-TimK

]]> By: Simon http://blog.jtimothyking.com/2006/05/19/my-performance-sucks-and-im-proud-of-it#comment-721 Simon Fri, 26 May 2006 12:11:17 +0000 http://blog.jtimothyking.com/2006/05/19/my-performance-sucks-and-im-proud-of-it#comment-721 The problem comes when the review is linked to salary increases... The problem comes when the review is linked to salary increases…

]]> By: Mr Angry http://blog.jtimothyking.com/2006/05/19/my-performance-sucks-and-im-proud-of-it#comment-700 Mr Angry Fri, 26 May 2006 04:57:18 +0000 http://blog.jtimothyking.com/2006/05/19/my-performance-sucks-and-im-proud-of-it#comment-700 My worst experience with performance reviews (in this job they were every 6 months not yearly - lucky me) was with a really capricious manager. In one, she led off by saying how stupid these things were and it was a complete waste of time. So we had a laugh, ticked some boxes and that was that. The next one she's decided she needs a scapegoat and starts giving me a negative review. As soon as she started with the serious face and tone of voice I knew I was in trouble. The voice in my head is going "OMG she's taking this seriously, all that can mean is she's out to get me." In my response to her review I actually pointed out the whole thing was unfair because she had previously said these reviews were stupid so how could I take this one seriously... Then I got another job and didn't have to deal with this dysfunctional workplace any more. My worst experience with performance reviews (in this job they were every 6 months not yearly - lucky me) was with a really capricious manager. In one, she led off by saying how stupid these things were and it was a complete waste of time. So we had a laugh, ticked some boxes and that was that. The next one she’s decided she needs a scapegoat and starts giving me a negative review. As soon as she started with the serious face and tone of voice I knew I was in trouble. The voice in my head is going “OMG she’s taking this seriously, all that can mean is she’s out to get me.”

In my response to her review I actually pointed out the whole thing was unfair because she had previously said these reviews were stupid so how could I take this one seriously… Then I got another job and didn’t have to deal with this dysfunctional workplace any more.

]]> By: J. Timothy King http://blog.jtimothyking.com/2006/05/19/my-performance-sucks-and-im-proud-of-it#comment-458 J. Timothy King Wed, 24 May 2006 02:16:36 +0000 http://blog.jtimothyking.com/2006/05/19/my-performance-sucks-and-im-proud-of-it#comment-458 Yeah. I generally consider them to be administrative tools that don't really affect my life. But in this case, the performance evaluation highlighted an acute need for better communication. So, an update: It looks like management supports me completely in wanting better communication. I had an informal one-on-one with my manager today, which went very well. I also had a brief meeting with his boss, because that's our company policy with performance evaluations. This meeting also went really well, and I'm feeling very good about the outlook. So my first guess is that I'm <em>not</em> getting fired. :) -TimK Yeah. I generally consider them to be administrative tools that don’t really affect my life. But in this case, the performance evaluation highlighted an acute need for better communication.

So, an update: It looks like management supports me completely in wanting better communication. I had an informal one-on-one with my manager today, which went very well. I also had a brief meeting with his boss, because that’s our company policy with performance evaluations. This meeting also went really well, and I’m feeling very good about the outlook.

So my first guess is that I’m not getting fired. :)

-TimK

]]> By: Matthew http://blog.jtimothyking.com/2006/05/19/my-performance-sucks-and-im-proud-of-it#comment-314 Matthew Mon, 22 May 2006 01:31:50 +0000 http://blog.jtimothyking.com/2006/05/19/my-performance-sucks-and-im-proud-of-it#comment-314 >> Performance evaluations are not about actual performance. They are about the relationship with the guy filling out the evaluation form. The point at which I realised this made performance reviews much easier. A complete waste of time, sure. But easier. >> Performance evaluations are not about actual performance. They are about the relationship with the guy filling out the evaluation form.

The point at which I realised this made performance reviews much easier. A complete waste of time, sure. But easier.

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