Human Resources Management for Health Care Organizations: A Strategic Approach

Using Defusers—the Return to Objectivity Formula

As is clear from the previous section, there is a range of possible reactions to the performance evaluation process. In some situations the remedies just covered might be inappropriate or ineffective. This section, therefore, provides four basic defusing strategies that a reviewing manager can use to return a highly emotional performance appraisal to its objective and constructive tone.

A defuser is a communication technique that eliminates emotionalism from a work-related conversation. Defusing an emotional conversation is like defusing an explosion by either extinguishing or cutting off its fuse. The health care manager can use the four techniques described here to eliminate argument and disagreement ...