# Meeting a Parrot's Expectation By:: [[Brian Heath]] 2024-03-07 It is common for workers to be rated on a scale of expectation. A rating of below expectations indicates improvements are required. If one is rated as meeting expectations, one does what they are asked. Finally, a rating that exceeds expectations means one performs pleasantly surprising work. But how does one define expectations? Is it in the job description or something else? Is any about the expectation documented? One might think it is given the emphasis organizations place on employee evaluation processes. However, you and I both know it isn't. So, the more important question is who decides the expectations. Here, the manager holds all the power as they set the expectations and judge how the employee performs against them. This partially explains why people leave organizations because of their managers. It is self-evident that some people get along better than others. This is the basis of relationships. As one builds a connection with someone, one will become biased in assessing them and their actions. This doesn't mean that one couldn't judge them in some fair way, but it does mean one is susceptible to being more lenient or harsh. Additionally, one is likely more tied to the affairs of people one is close with. This is why often legal systems put rules in place that prevent forcing an individual to testify against their spouse. Yet, organizations advocate for teamwork that creates closeness while allowing the manager to be the final adjudicator of performance via expectations. The system makes little sense as organizations and managers speak out of both sides of their mouths. Be one team, but this biased authority figure with their personality and tendencies will decide one's fate as if social dynamics do not exist. Few will have answers of any substance as one peels back the onion and asks challenging questions. So, in the final analysis, the best question to ponder is this: How can expectations exist if no one has a substantial answer to any meaningful questions? Said another way, what is the expectation of the parrot who mimics sounds but knows nothing about what it all means? One will meet expectations if one feeds the parrot when it is hungry. Does this describe one's existence at work? Feeding angry parrots with a vocabulary of 100 words seems a far cry from what one aspires to do. I intend no offense to those who love actual parrots. After all, at least parrots are authentically parrots, and we can love and appreciate them for this. If only managers would do the same. #### Related Items [[Work]] [[Performance]] [[Management]] [[Judgement]] [[Value]] [[Authenticity]] [[Thinking]] [[Organization]]