There sits Sally on the other side of the desk during her performance evaluation. Shes scowling. Her arms are folded tightly across her chest. Her lower lip is turned out in a way that communicates both rejection and contempt. Shes flipped the performance evaluation she just read upside down on your desk as though it were some loathsome bug. She slowly shakes her head back and forth in a model of negativity. Looking you straight in the eye, she says, Do you call this a performance evaluation?
George is exactly the opposite. His employee performance evaluation, like the one you wrote about Sally, also told the truth about the fact that the quality of his work in the past twelve months wasnt all that you expected and that immediate improvement is required. But George isnt arguing; he isnt negative in the slightest. In fact, hes bafflingly positive about the negative review. He says that he agrees with everything youve said and tells you that you dont have to give him any details or examples. Youre right, he says. He understands. Hes so contrite and remorseful, you almost feel apologetic about having written such a negative but honest evaluation. He promises to turn over...