Page 141 - my SUCCESS! my CHOICE

Deepak Gupta my SUCCESS! my CHOICE
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“Said another way, our appraisal system is focused on rounding the rough edges of a

precious stone rather than polishing it into diamond! This is true for almost all companies with

probably very few exceptions.”

“Yes Ron. I have often wondered about it too. In fact, sometimes we ‘find’ a weakness just

so we can fill that box and have a ‘meaningful’ discussion.”

“Don’t get me wrong Dan. I am not suggesting that we ignore critical issues that make an

individual less effective. We must address them.”

“I am saying that we must celebrate the brilliance or the strengths of an individual and

spend far more time trying to identify how to enhance them further. We must also help the

individual understand the ‘opportunity areas’ that, if addressed, will make the individual an

even better performer.”

“No one is perfect – there is always a niggle or rough edge. Will always be. But I will rather

have a brilliant performer with some rough edges than an above-average performer who is

smooth all over.”

Dan’s performance appraisals over the years were almost constantly focused around his

improvement areas. Except once when Ron was his boss, where the focus was not on his

weaknesses but on how to leverage his strengths to step change his contributions and

performance. ‘It was so different – positive and invigorating experience vs the typical negative dreadful

exercise. Ron has always been walking his talk.’ He thought.