Jeff Bailey offers:
" As an instructional designer, I have frequently analyzed performance
problems with the help of supervisors and managers, along with using
policy references and other performance-related data."
I wonder if Jeff considered analyzing performance problems with the help
of those who are expected to perform, namely the front line employees? I
think about the impact of "performance-related data" upon the employees,
and would pose that Jeff's concentration on the supervisor and manager as
helpful to this process, as well as the "policy references" which Jeff
uses, are in fact NOT helpful to the analysis of "performance problems"
as one might think.
I appreciate the fact that Jeff moves to a different position in his
suggestions to Judy, especially to the emphasis on getting the info to the
end user. I worry though that the management may not see the need to
eliminate such "performance-related data" and concentrate rather on the
organization's essential purpose and how to go about it. Thus the stress
is upon the (managerial) point of the pyramid, (inverted to indicate that
the weight is upon their shoulders), and, if performance is to be an issue
at all, it rests with them and and is not enhanced by using performance
metrics to control people.
That is why SoPK offers so much hope to those both in management and
labor; if the goal is "improving the system", those responsible for
establishing the system, AND those who work IN that system can benefit
from a different perspective in looking at that system. Namely, using the
feedback from what they see to make any needed changes, without fear of
reproach or "discipline". It should come as no surprise that management
has made mistakes in the past, for which others have taken the blame,
relying on "performance-related" (subjective) data.
To company managers out there...Stop pointing fingers and give those who
work for you more credit as people, not as oranges to be squeezed.
--Regards, John Constantine rainbird@trail.com Rainbird Management Consulting PO Box 23554 Santa Fe, NM 87502 http://www.trail.com/~rainbird "Dealing in Essentials"
Learning-org -- An Internet Dialog on Learning Organizations For info: <rkarash@karash.com> -or- <http://world.std.com/~lo/>