Appraisal expectations

Yesterday I had my appraisal with my director, my boss and my senior (3 VS 1 - kesian the princess). I wasn't expecting it to be long, but it ended up to be a 1.5 hours talk.

I was naive enough to think that I will get flying colours (scores) for the appraisal and get praises for doing a well done job. Luckily enough, I had my family and my bee to support and enlighten me what is the real definition of "an appraisal" after that.

Basically, I was praised for excelling in my tasks & timelines and creating a good relationship with inter-department. BUT.... there's always a BUT ain't there.... They have to find something irrelevant to get my scores down or not that high. Well, in the end all my scores are at least an average (achieved) or higher (exceeded).

The best they could take out of me -- is my lack of passion for my job. And their arguement is that besides handling my tasks very wel, I should go beyond that and show interest in the whole market research thingy. I am suppose to read books, come out with ideas, questions everything if possible and approach to talk to bosses as much as possible. Some other "suggestions" are that being passionate is that I should influence people who worked with me to be efficient and effective like me (using lotus calendar, manual calendar, drafting timelines etc), making commentaries to clients about data without being asked and go out to retails/shopping malls and make friends with retailers, users and etc so I know the market before my clients do. >_<

My director said, "The world is not fair, when you meet expectations and furthermore exceed expectations, people would expect more from you. That's how it is."

My boss said, "We see so much potential in you just based on the way you make things work. That's why I do not checked your work. But we want to see more of you in other things than doing tasks delegated."

So, in conclusion, if one fulfill their job description (JD) and objectives (set by the bosses anyway), and somemore do a good job... is NOT ENOUGH.....

However, I learned from my family and my bee some truths which I would like to share with you all:

1. An appraisal is where it affects your promotion and salary increment, of course they would have to bring negativity and scores down to save money. (Please keep this in mind). **Consider my company is losing profit, this is even more understandable. **

2. Indians are very stingy in compliments and mostly like to stab you (Sorry, no offense to the Indians. Did I mentioned my boss likes to start conversation like, "Why you Malaysians....?"). So if one can get compliments out from them, one should be happy and proud of oneself.

3. If your scores are not lower than average and exceed average, you are doing okay.

Things one can learn from an appraisal:

1. What your bosses think and expect from you.

2. Things you can improve, things you can maintain and things you can eliminate.

Things I learn from my appraisal:

1. Always expect the worst even if you know you have did well.

2. What is right (methods, talking and actions) for you, may not be right for another person.

3. My bosses are jealous that I have a better relationship with inter-department and not with the research department (OMG, I have to treat my bosses as if they are my bfs huh >_<)