The new process allows the appraisals to occur automatically and regularly, lets my admin folks track it effortlessly, and allows the supervisors and employees to have candid conversations. We are mostly Type-A personalities and were very caught-up with our 26 point evaluation system. Our folks only concentrated on the scores and not the message. Small Improvements shifts that focus back to the messages and away from the scores.
Small Improvements also lets us provide feedback from multiple points of view. Firefighting is very much a team sport. In order for the supervisor (captain) to be effective, he has to know that his team has confidence in his abilities. This system allows our captains to receive great feedback from the subordinates. Likewise, each team member has to know they have the respect of each other. Again, the 360 degree feedback accommodates that.
Jayme Kahle
Fire Chief
