I just left a company where the performance evaluation system was (IMHO) overly complex and didn't encourage good work. I wouldn't say people game the system, b

I just left a company where the performance evaluation system was (IMHO) overly complex and didn't encourage good work. I wouldn't say people game the system, but the complexity allowed promotions and compensation to be adjusted willy-nilly based on seemingly arbitrary lines, making the entire exercise more political than meritocratic. When your process is essentially one big black box, it's similar to having no process at all, and what you get is tribal fiefdoms. > "Ballmer actually seems like he is a person (if an odd one); it's funny that their communication has to be so neutered." One thing I've noticed about modern corporations - they all try to sound as soulless and inhuman as possible, but it seems like this is mostly based on a misguided impression that "everyone writes copy like this" as opposed to any logical strategy or reason. On the other hand, there's the flip side - the ubiquitous startup that tries to sound like your best buddy. There's a fine line to be walked.