eggwards | Entries tagged with work's ok

Today I had my annual review. I did well, and apparently most of the management staff at my job thinks well of me. My boss, David said that a couple of them ask for me to assist their group from time to time, which is a good feeling, being asked for by name.

I scored an "E" for excellent, which is a step down from "O" for outstanding. Because David was pretty glowing about me I'm guessing no one got and "O". I even got a little raise that will cover the extra 2% I'm putting towards my 401(k), because the company added 2% to the company match. Let me tell you, if your company matches on their 401(k), don't leave compensation on the table by not taking it.

I had a good conversation with my boss. He pulled out the chart showing that I was beating the team in productivity. Half the team wasn't making standard. The problem is that very little coaching happens here, and even less training when change occurs. work is sloppy and quality suffers for productivity which is king around here.

We spoke about others on the team, and I mentioned that I think I can help with this, but it would go beyond my duties as an individual contributor. David seemed interested, but we'll have to wait and see. David remarked that he didn't realize that I actually managed people in my last job (he's my new boss, and we haven't had a big talk before), and was somewhat surprised that i talked to him as more of a peer than a report, but it didn't bother him.

We talked about my future, that he'd like me to stay on the team, but know that i have been applying to go elsewhere, now that i have my license. I said I'd love to manage the team, but otherwise I'm really looking for more. He said that he'd be happy to help me, and I was glad. I said I really needed more help learning what areas and opportunities there were out there, and since he's an 18 year veteran of the company, he might be able to give me some insight.

Otherwise, I've said before here that the management seems to be on autopilot when it comes to managing people. They'd rather manage process instead. I'd mentioned that I thought we were a bit under-coached and I was used to having quarterly reviews, he said he too was used to quarterlies from working on the trading desk, but that just wasn't something our area did.

As he spoke about a couple of accomplishments I had this year, I wished I was able to do a self evaluation about some of the others that were left off. He specifically said my first manager with the company didn't have any feedback for him about this past year. this angered me a little because I did a special project for her specifically 2 months ago. she can't be bothered to remember that? Great.

It's already reviews by committee, which all the managers going into a room and calibrating the scores, but maybe some of them should bow out if they aren't going to contribute.

I tend to talk a manager's ear off, giving opinions and such, but we did have to cut it at an hour since he had to have all his reviews done this week. I guess I'll try to work more with him on issues involving the team for one of the places I got dinged was innovation. Normally most people in a processing type role get dinged for it since there aren't many opportunities to provide new solutions, but i think I have David's ear now, so maybe, just maybe this ranting won't be for naught.

I'm a little happier about the job at this point, and I know change is in the air, so hopefully some good will come of it. It's nice to at least be pegged as someone with potential, and that I do stand out.