On 14 Jan 2004 at 16:09, Fred Nickols wrote:
> Despite years of criticism, carping and complaining, repeated
> tinkering and outright overhauls, not to mention a dismal record of
> performance when it comes to its own performance, performance
> appraisal systems are still with us ??? and they show no signs of going
> away.
>
> Why is that? Why is it that something so obviously less than
> satisfactory to all concerned is sustained and maintained in the face
> of such negative evidence and repeated attacks?
Fred, I appreciate these polemics and attacks on performance
appraisals because they are stimulating, but I'm afraid you might be
looking for answers that are way too deep. I've talked to hundreds
and managers, execs, and employees on this issue.
And the answer to your question is simple. They believe that the
performance management/appraisal/review process fulfils some
perceived needs that they have. Many of course do not, but do them
because they are told to, but in every organization that does them,
there are decision-makers who believe in the functions.
They might not ought to have those needs. They certainly realize,
generally, that the tools they know about and are given are flawed.
But even so they believe there are important, critical functions that
"something" needs to address. That something is appraisal.
There is a reality here that you seem to miss. Some managers make
appraisals work very well. I've seen them. I've worked for them and
with them. The issue, then is how do we modify, teach and encourage
managers and HR to do the darn things properly.
That's why I have written a number of books on the topic, and I
continue to speak on the topic. Because I believe (because I've seen
it and experienced it) that by making some substantial, but possible
shifts in mindset, we can create a process of performance MANAGEMENT,
which includes reviews and can be used to the benefit of EVERYONE in
the organization.
Robert Bacal - Visit
http://articles911.com for over 2,200 work
related articles
http://conflict911.com - Conflict Management Resource Center, and
http://performance-appraisals.org for performance management help.