If you work at a corporation of any size, this book is a good introduction to the hows and whys of talent and performance management. I'm not an HR professional, but am a professional in the learning and training industry. I also work at a company that is is using a performance management system that was instituted for all the right reasons, but may in fact be a system that is dragging us down. I could sit around and complain about it, but I chose to educate myself about it. I have several books on this subject to read, and this is the first in the pile.
I liked this book for a couple of reasons. The authors do a great job of breaking talent management down and they make a call for simplifying it. I'm all for simplification. They also back everything they claim with the facts--real research. The authors make a call at the beginning of the book to start with the science (behavorial science) eliminate compliexity and add value. I like that. Ah, if only a few more HR pros would read and live this book.
I also learned the history of forced distribution and ranking--it was popularized by GE and Ford Motor Co. (Ford was actually sued over it). The authors claim that studies have shown it works and shows tangible results for a company. But it did make a question rise in my mind--why in the 21st century are many Fortune 500s using a 20th century performance process built for assembly lines? We don't work that way. How do you root out poor performers in a system that values creative problem-solving and not building widgets? There has to be a better way. The authors do advise that the benefits of such a program emerge in the first few years and that an organization should adjust the forced distribution over time. That is logical and makes sense. They also advise to not use labels or numerical ratings that are communicated to employees. I would really like to see more research on forced distribution.
Along the way I picked up some interesting little tidbits like:
*the more goals an individual has, the more poorly he performs on each (they suggest three)
*list goals in order of importance on perf management form
*frequent feedback builds leaders faster for course correction
*self-assessment does not work as poor performers are delusional about their performance
*everyone thinks they are a high performer--and writing a self-appraisal damages pride
*research showed that less improvement is seen when feedback becomes about the person and not a task
* and as an employee if someone gives you feedback, and then you follow up on it with them, they perceive you have improved whether or not you actually did
*like goals, too many competancies at a company are a bad thing
Overall, a good book to have in your library if you are a manager and are interested in employee development.