Stress-Free Performance Appraisals

3

Appraisals That Don’t Bite

Organizations...are not paying enough attention to doing the right thing, while paying too much attention to doing things right.

—Warren Bennis, former university president, presidential adviser, and leadership guru.

 

Too often, the evaluation form predominates. Instead of supporting the appraisal, it becomes the centerpiece, functioning as a hurdle to just get through until the next deadline comes up. A bank vice president reflected the thoughts of several interviewees when she said that “completing the form feels as if the appraisal is all done.” Another manager perceived an unfriendly roadmap, saying, “evaluation forms leave lots of room for the negatives and just a few lines for the positive stuff.” Perhaps this ...