Hi Harold,

Something always stuck in my craw about performance appraisals and your post has finely brought me home to what bothered me. I didn't like giving PA's and I didn't like receiving them - even when the reports where well intentioned and positive. My school experience was the first place I sensed a major hoax at work. The hoax being systemic processes that supported this flawed management (evaluation) practice.

I agree with the view that altering those system processes to improve individual and organizational performance outcomes is far more critical than focusing on employee performance. I'm going to use that research in my conversations with management when we talk about how social learning supported by social media tools can alter service outcomes. The wirearchy principles will be another conversation piece that will help me talk with managers about workplace learning and performance outcomes.

Thanks for shining a light on something that has bothered me for the last 50 years or so.