H&I Fires* 3 JAN 2008

Open post for those with something to share, updated through the day. New, complete posts come in below this one. Note: If trackbacking, please acknowledge this post in your post. That's only polite.

Time to add a new caveat, because from email it's not clear to some folks (mind you, if you don't read this it won't matter...) Being an open post, people (collectively, the Denizens) other than I post in the H&I. They sign their work (most of the time) - keep that in mind when you want to flame someone in email please - if it doesn't say "The Armorer" or "John" then I didn't write it! And honestly - if you don't like something said or posted... leave a comment, and hash it out (within the context of The Rulez which are clearly posted on the comment form, I would add).

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In the news...

Data-collecting helmets to gauge the impact explosions have on soldier's brains - whether they are considered wounded by the blast or not.

Welcome to the hell of changing over from being managers to being... *gasp* leaders!

Many managers agree that their greatest challenge is working with employees to craft performance objectives, keeping in mind that evaluations and pay increases hang on how well they meet those goals. Tamburrino says another challenge also comes into play during the rating process - many employees shy from boasting about their accomplishments.

"People don't like to brag about themselves, and as part of NSPS, when employees write their self-appraisals, they have to say 'I really did good stuff,' " Tamburrino says. "To get people to think about themselves like that is hard." Once employees grow accustomed to touting their work, managers must then disabuse them of the notion that high performance ratings will remain stellar from year to year. "Some years are boom years, and some are just normal years," Tamburrino says. "That's another thing we've had to convince people of; once you're [rated] a five, you're not always a five. That's a hard conversation to have with folks."

If only all companies could give this level of support to the Guardsmen and Reservists among them. And I know, not all companies can - but I suspect more can than do! And no, I'm not suggesting mandating it. I'm just pointing out *this* company, Central Boiler of Greenbush, MN, and the owners, Dennis and Terri Brazier, for a pat-on-the-back! From the Christian Science Monitor:

During his absence, the company had given the soldier, Monty Johnson, his annual bonus, preserved his seniority on the assembly line, and even entered his name in company drawings. His co-workers sent him care packages - everything from toothpaste to hunting magazines. The Braziers also stayed in touch with Johnson's wife, Sheila, inviting her to company parties and offering her money, if needed.

I went to their website and used their contact form to say "Thank you."

Heh. I wasn't polled, but this poll from the Military Times mirrors my attitude:

The American military — still skeptical about whether the U.S. should have gone to war in Iraq, and still skeptical of President Bush’s war leadership — nevertheless shows increasing optimism about the likelihood of success in the war, this year’s Military Times Poll shows.

Well well well. Intelligence tests for the intelligence community. Why do I think this will end badly? From Stephen Barr at the Washington Post:

The keepers of the nation's secrets soon will be evaluated against common standards on how well they analyze problems, share information and stand behind their professional judgments.

Those job performance standards and others will apply to all rank-and-file civil service employees in the government's intelligence community, according to a directive issued last month by the director of national intelligence, Mike McConnell.

I admit I don't know enough about this kind of testing to have an informed opinion. I just know that the better analysts I've known over my career are oft-times outliers in terms of the bell curves. At least they're trying! -the Armorer

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The outcome today in Iowa? I have noooooooo idea. Scott, the Blogging Caesar at Election Projections has his projections up - with Huckabee and Obama walking away with 30% and 38% respectively. With my tin ear for politics, I don't have a clue. I'll solicit your thoughts, though. -the Armorer

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