Why aren’t there progress reports? Why do we do performance reviews? The studies say that forward-looking companies look forward, not backwards. The financials say that past performance is not an indicator of future performance. Yet, for our people we insist on documenting their past performance. We call parts of the discussion “development,” yet cancel that activity if the budget or time doesn’t allow. (But that is another question for another time.) Those of us in HR are responsible for the people. The way to progress that resource, to help our people be better for the business, is up to us in HR to design and implement innovative ways that will help our businesses.
Did we ask for a change in their behavior; or a true change in our employee’s thinking? As forward-looking companies who want to improve, why do we insist on sitting down with people and rehashing in the past? Are we in HR so committed to the documentation for protection that we forget the real meaning? Shouldn’t we note good performances with the same vigor as we note bad behavior or performance? Do we really believe that our manager’s notes are so complete that the reviews really are reflective of the year?
I agree that supervisors are responsible for their folks—but then again have we given those supervisors the tools? When there is a financial issue—the CFO leads the business decision and options with input from the other business leaders. When there is a machining problem, the operations leader does the same. Shouldn’t the leader of the people find out what works for the business?
What works for your business to document what is needed but truly focus—sincerely focus on the important thing? What do you want your employees to be in your business? Innovative? Then what do they need to do to be more of that? Customer oriented? What do they need to do to be more of that?
Performance reviews seem to be based upon report cards. Isn’t it time that those of us in HR took the lead to help businesses more by helping our adult employees see the vision and their place in it?
I’m just asking the question.
