Three On Thursday
I’m feeling a little random this week so I’m sharing 3 things that are not connected at all. But still perhaps interesting.
- We recently binged Ted Lasso on the recommendation of our Governor, Charlie Baker. Yes, that’s right. When I attended the virtual Massachusetts Municipal Conference last week Governor Baker was the keynote speaker for our annual meeting and he was asked how he is personally coping with the pandemic. He mentioned taking lots of walks, reading, and then he recommended Ted Lasso. Dale and I watched it in 3 evenings (it’s on Apple TV, which we currently have free for a year due to the purchase of our new iPhones) and it’s wonderful. Heartwarming and silly and also full of some pretty good life lessons. I concur with our governor and strongly suggest you give it a try.
- Like many of you, we’ve been doing lots of Zoom meetings and trainings. Dale and I both have work ones and, as the civic minded individuals that we are, we also have town board/committee meetings. Our Board of Selectmen is currently meeting remotely, as is the Historical Commission and Dale is the Chairman of that. I feel like at least once in every meeting and gathering there is one or more of the following: a barking dog, a family member who wanders in and out of the frame, a person who doesn’t mute their mic when they should, a person who doesn’t unmute their mic when they should, and someone who freezes up when they are talking. I’m very very grateful for the ability to meet this way but I have to say . . . I CAN NOT wait until we can meet in person again!
- Why are performance appraisals so hard to complete? I have excellent people that work for me at the library and everyone . . . literally EVERYONE . . . is doing a terrific job, particularly in a very challenging environment. And yet, sitting down and filling out the forms, meeting with the employee to go over the forms, I hates it. I’m sure there’s some deep rooted psychological reason for all of this and I’m sure I could do some research and gain some insight. But, you know, it’s only once/year and I’ll just grin and bear it and get it done.
That’s what I’ve got for you this week. I hope your Thursday is going well. And if not, well, it’s almost the weekend!
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I think this is the third time I have seen Ted Lasso recommended. I will listen to the Blog Wisdom and queue it up to watch! 🙂
Review time seems like it’s always a drag–for supervisor and supervisee, despite any good vibes! Maybe there’s a balm in that it seems to be universal, at least 🙂
Okay, you’ve convinced me that I need to watch Ted Lasso. I keep hearing it mentioned, so clearly it’s a winner.
I share your loathing for performance appraisals. Having to do my self-appraisal every year is a truly painful experience, mainly because there’s only so many ways for me to say “I found the mistakes and I corrected them” (that’s literally my job). My former boss used to say that no one should wait for once a year to know if they’re doing a good job or a bad job, especially the latter — if there’s an issue, it should be addressed right away. But I’m sure the people you’re reviewing will really appreciate the time you’ll take to tell them what a good job they’re doing!
I met with my teachers at the start of the year to see what they wanted to focus on and to set up some expectations. Then we met in January to see how things were going. When I had to write the formal evaluations in April I just used notes from those meetings and my observations. Like you, my teachers were doing a great job so it was more of an affirmation. I still dreaded the whole process. And I agree that while zoom is great, it is no replacement for face to face. I am trending toward more one to one Facetime calls lately. Good thoughts today
So far, we have watched Ted Lasso THREE times. And we’ll probably watch it again. (Every time one of us is feeling kinda low, we decide it’s “time for Ted”. . . ) And Zoom. It’s been a godsend – and I hope it continues for some things after the pandemic. But I’ll be so happy to really SEE people and sit around a table with them again. XO
Aww…we don’t have Apple TV. Hubby and I are looking for something new to watch and that sounds like a good one too!
My Apple t.v. expired but now you’ve got me reconsidering! I feel for you regarding the performance reviews…you are a great person and I’m sure you’re employees value everything you have to say!
Woohoo!! New phones!! I have been strongly tempted…
Kym recommended Ted Lasso a while ago (seeing her comment here, I think that rec still stands!), but I’ve yet to watch it. On my list!!
Oh Zoom…
Review time is awful for everyone… even when it’s all good! I don’t think I’d like a supervisor or boss that relished that task.
I’m so thankful I’ve never had to write a formal performance review. I’ve had to document infractions but never an actual performance review. I’ve always enjoyed getting them from good bosses though.
As a person who had to do annual or semiannual performance appraisals, I am empathetic to your situation. I wasn’t always as fortunate as you in always having excellent people however I did find something that helped. I wish I could remember the name of the seminar or short meeting but it was one that surrounded the discussion of expressing yourself more accurately in these performance evaluations. You get tired of using the same old words for a job well done, excellent communication skills. etc, etc. So all this to say, maybe a thesaurus ??? Well that’s my 2 cents worth!!! 🙂
I had my review this week. It was over teams and my boss started with the usual I know you dread this and I was like oh that’s what this meeting was for as she forgot to put it in the subject line. We are at the point where she just reads it to me quickly and then we chat about other stuff. We have to write in our own comments about ourselves and then the boss adds their take. I spend more time finding what I wrote the year before so I don’t word everything exactly the same. I think ours are twice a year though we do have something quarterly, too. Ugh but good to get them done and out of the way.
Performance appraisal (and salary review) writing season was not my favorite. but I generally LOVED having the conversations. We also have a year of Apple TV and I’m looking forward to The Morning Show with Jennifer Anniston and Reese Witherspoon – and maybe season 2 of Ted?!