A Realistic View of Performance Management

Performance management is optimistic but not blind.

Performance management acknowledges the importance of getting an accurate read on the possibilities for improvement while recognizing sources of organizational resistance and other barriers to success. Improvement begins with diagnosis and continues through relevant performance-enhancement techniques.

The musings of skeptics inform performance management about the need to address various threats, but they do not kill improvement efforts. Professional managers often welcome criticism and concerns that help reveal real problems and limitations of performance improvement.