My rating is not my problem

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Some years ago when I was a department head.. it was that time of the year when we rate the performance of our leaders. We put them in a bell curve and as you know, there can only be a specific number of people who can be rated Exceptional (E).

All the department heads presented their ratings per Leadership Band and this meeting went for hours. At the higher band level (my level) before I am asked to step out of the Boardroom, there was 1 spot left for an Exceptional rating and there were 2 other department heads who wanted their leader to get that E rating.

I provided several critical incidents about my female leader… 5/5 VOC scores, projects completed, huge savings contribution, etc. She has consistently been exceptional since Day 1, year on year. This discussion became so intense that our boss had to call for a short break. Coming back from the break, two of the department heads exclaimed jokingly…

“Patrick, we cannot put all these 3 people in that E rating because there is only 1 slot left in this round. Remember Patrick…, you and the other Department Head inside the Boardroom are also in this same Band Level. After this, both of you will step out of the Boardroom and we shall decide on your ratings. We suggest don’t push for your female leader to be an E… you may want to leave a slot open (possibly for you or the other department head)”

I smiled and politely replied.. “The fair performance rating of my leaders is my responsibility in this meeting. My personal rating is not my problem. It’s the problem of my boss (while slightly looking at my boss seated at the head of the table)”

My boss gave me his usual smile. Then, I resumed talking about the outstanding contributions of my female leader who got the remaining E rating slot. Later, they decided to open up 1 more E slot for this Band level.

*About the photo

After a successful assignment in Cebu Philippines, my boss asked me to manage our Manila Site. I drove my SUV from my residence in Cebu City to my residence in Paranaque city (Metro Manila). The entire journey was a 22 hour drive and 12 hour boat ride + a stop over. As always, my gorgeous wife Prudence joined me in this journey. She helped me pack and load our stuff from Cebu inside our SUV and she also drove for around 10 hours of this entire trip.

This photo was when we had lunch during our stop over in Legazpi city, Bicol Province while appreciating the beauty of Mayon Volcano.

I am forever grateful and blessed to have a wife who is very supportive… No matter what challenges, WE GOT EACH OTHER'S BACK from the day we met until FOREVER.