As I opened my inbox one morning to begin the day, I found a request from a Business Manager seeking my presence in a performance review for three employees. Nothing out of the ordinary-performance reviews are, after all, a common fixture in the HR routine. I was available, so I agreed. That afternoon, we sat down with the trio-each labelled a “non-performer.” What unfolded in that room revealed a deeply rooted phenomenon in organizational behaviour that I’ve come to identify as the “Bermuda Triangle” of talent management.
The Review Room: An HR Microcosm
The first employee accepted the review outcome humbly. He acknowledged his shortcomings and exhibited a genuine desire to improve. His humility was so apparent that we felt compelled to reframe his KPIs, extend his performance window, and give him another chance.
The second came prepared. With data in hand, he mounted a logical defense. He admitted to skill gaps but demonstrated consistent effort. Our discussion shifted from performance appraisal to...
