Performance Appraisal and Problem Employees

Prior to class I assumed we would talk about how to conduct an appraisal interview or how to handle the discussion once there. I also thought we would talk about how to deal with difficult employees- how to help them improve as well as when to cut them loose!

I was glad we talked about the broken appraisal system. I took an HR class over the summer, and the chapter about performance appraisals floored me because the recommended system was so far from what I have experienced. I definitely agree that rather than a once a year sit down meeting, performance appraisal should happen on an ongoing basis. When it came to difficult employees, I learned that the fact they are difficult may be more of a perception than reality. People are different. As long as we can figure out how to help them achieve common goals, most people should be able to work together and that diversity could turn out to be an asset.

This class is making me want to be a manager more and more. I think that I could really help others grow together as a team and focus on positive attributes. Although I may not ever (or at least in the near future) have the opportunity to fill such a role, I can continue to plan for how I will be successful if I do. Also, as a staff nurse I will also have chances to help encourage and support people who are difficult, as well as giving honest feedback to my peers in a respectful way.

I have been thinking about the fact that many difficult people don't realize that they are difficult or think that it is normal. I wonder if it would be helpful to find a way to look at ourselves and see if we are difficult and could stand to change a little. I liked the thought that dealing with difficult people is about understanding them as well as understanding ourselves. I think it would have been interesting to talk more about that aspect. Not just defining ourselves, but utilizing the strengths that come with our personalities as well as understanding our drawbacks and being more cognizant of how others may perceive us.