Kevin's Weblog

In Chapter 28 of Peopleware, they claim that the following managerial techniques tend to induce teamicide:

• annual salary or merit reviews
• management by objectives
• praise of certain workers for extraordinary accomplishment
• awards, prizes, bonuses tied to performance
• performance measurement in almost any form

I don't totally disagree with most of these, and I definitely think that spotlighting individuals is usually a mistake, but I'm confused by the first point and some of the others to a degree.

It seems to me like they are saying that raises and salary should be decoupled from performance. Interpreted broadly, this might also include promotions. This seems like insanity. Wouldn't it also seem to be teamicidal to let your star performers feel like the only way to move ahead is to shop themselves around to other companies?