---
id: 2026-03-09T08:51:24-0400
title: 2026-03-09 08:51:24
tags:
  - authorship/other
  - exclude-from-word-count
  - occupational
  - status/draft
daily: "[[2026-03-09]]"
date-created: 2026-03-09T08:51:24-04:00
---
# 2026-03-09 08:51:24

## Values & Competencies

Reviewed in-person with [[joel-jansen]] [[2026-03-03]].

Regarding the scoring,
Joel stated that in past years,
the ratings were much more confusing

1. **???**
2. **???**
3. **Well Placed**
4. **Promotable**
5. **???**

I take no issue with the ratings Joel gave,
all the topics I feel strongly enough about to argue
were scored accurately as far as

### Integrity

Consistently demonstrates integrity in daily work
by being honest, fair, and respectful.
Takes accountability for decisions and actions,
ensuring transparency and maintaining trust with colleagues and stakeholders.

#### Manager Rating

**Significantly Above Target**

Delivers exceptional performance and actions,
far beyond role targets.

%%
Joel noted that I do not try to hide errors or omissions,
though frankly that sounds like a terrible strategy.
He knows if something was omitted or done in error,
so even if he believed my deception
it would only speak to my incompetence.
%%

### Accountability

Demonstrates ownership of decisions
and consistently meets deadlines and goals.
Proactively addresses issues when they arise
and applies problem-solving skills to ensure tasks are completed effectively.
Seeks feedback for continuous improvement.

#### Manager Rating

**Significantly Above Target**

Delivers exceptional performance and actions,
far beyond role targets.

%%
From what I remember,
Joel's basis for this rating was focused on the
"Proactively addresses issues when they arise"
and "Seeks feedback for continuous improvement"
parts of the definition.
%%

### Teamwork

Proactively builds relationships
and works effectively with colleagues to achieve common goals.
Shows respect for diverse perspectives
and offers support when needed,
enhancing team productivity.

#### Manager Rating

**Significantly Above Target**

Delivers exceptional performance and actions,
far beyond role targets.

%%
I wish I remember where this rating came from
because it seems like a stretch for me.
%%

### Innovation

Seeks to challenge the status quo
by identifying opportunities for improvement.
Demonstrates innovative thinking
by experimenting with new approaches
and contributing to team discussions on doing things more effectively.

#### Manager Rating

**Significantly Above Target**

Delivers exceptional performance and actions,
far beyond role targets.

%%

%%

### Growth

Actively pursues opportunities for growth and development,
both personally and in alignment with team goals.
Applies feedback to take on new challenges,
recognizing that individual growth
contributes to overall organizational success.

#### Manager Rating

**Above Target**

Frequently surpasses performance targets and actions,
delivers high-quality results and takes initiative.

### Analytical Thinking

Develops independent analysis skills
by recognizing patterns and trends.
Makes decisions in routine tasks using a logical approach
and consults others on more complex problems.

#### Manager Rating

**Above Target**

Frequently surpasses performance targets and actions,
delivers high-quality results and takes initiative.

### Business Acumen

Applies foundational business knowledge
to contribute to team goals
and improve day-to-day operations.
Considers the broader impact of decisions on business objectives.

#### Manager Rating

**Significantly Above Target**

Delivers exceptional performance and actions,
far beyond role targets.

%%
Joel gave attention to how I ask questions of takeoff,
prioritizing workflow over strict [[heuristics#Realism vs. Instrumentalism|realism]].
Not "What will be installed here?",
which is an easy question with no direct applicability,
but "What do we need to include here?".

I stated that, due to my previous experience,
material familiarity ought never be an issue.
If I haven't installed it myself I can look it up.

The reason I ask questions this way
is because if I assumed the answer
based on my experience as an estimator,
I would frequently be wrong
because my intuition of estimating was formed
under a different understanding of the objective.

Estimators who have only ever worked for one contractor
talk about their methods and standards
as if they are typical of estimating in general,
The correct technique no matter who you are.
But there is a continuum of legitimate methods.
What is "correct" for a specific contractor,
the point on that continuum that they ought to use,
is dependent on its needs,
which are not estimating's to define.

We discussed the lack of clear purpose for ConEst,
and all the ills its absence has caused.
%%

### Customer Focus

Develops strong relationships
by consistently meeting customer expectations.
Works independently to resolve straightforward customer issues
and seeks help for more complex situations.

#### Manager Rating

**On Target**

Regularly achieves performance targets and actions.

%%
Joel framed [[pdi-estimating#Bid Estimating|Bid Estimating]]
as the customer in question,
and implied that if I had a more involved relationship
with the relevant bid estimators (namely Christian)
he might have rated me higher.
At this I stated my hesitance to do so,
out of a preference for following the chain of command.

As we've agreed previously
and as we'd reaffirmed in this discussion,
what Bid _wants_ and what we _are obligated to provide_
are not always aligned.
If a ConEst estimator speaks directly to Bid,
their senior doesn't have the opportunity
to translate Bid's direction.

I don't believe this conflict was resolved.

I thought (but did not say out of caution of losing focus)
that Joel himself might also be framed as my customer,
which would make rating much easier to give,
however it would be somewhat redundant with other values.
%%

### Decision Quality

Makes decisions with confidence, balancing short- and long-term goals.
Demonstrates a growing ability to make decisions independently
while consulting others for complex scenarios.

#### Manager Rating

**Above Target**

Frequently surpasses performance targets and actions,
delivers high-quality results and takes initiative.

### Drives Results

Works diligently to achieve results,
following through on commitments.
Tackles challenges independently
and demonstrates a strong focus on delivering outcomes.

#### Manager Rating

**Above Target**

Frequently surpasses performance targets and actions,
delivers high-quality results and takes initiative.

### Negotiates & Manages Conflict

Resolves straightforward conflicts,
applying basic negotiation techniques.
Listens to different perspectives
and aims to achieve fair outcomes,
seeking guidance for more challenging situations.

#### Manager Rating

**Above Target**

Frequently surpasses performance targets and actions,
delivers high-quality results and takes initiative.

%%
Joel said this one may not be meant for us.
I suggested that it could be interpreted
as conflict between sources of project requirements
(e.g. drawing sets, specs, proposal, code),
which I feel is one of my greater strengths.
%%

### Plans & Aligns

Applies foundational planning techniques
to manage daily tasks and balance priorities.
Anticipates potential delays
and adjusts plans as needed to meet deadlines.

#### Manager Rating

**Above Target**

Frequently surpasses performance targets and actions,
delivers high-quality results and takes initiative.

%%
I had trouble following the basis for this rating.
Given that Joel doesn't set hard deadlines,
my work could never truly be overdue.
%%

### Talent Development

Provides constructive feedback and guidance,
contributing to the growth of colleagues.
Seeks opportunities to support others' development
and helps identify resources for learning.

#### Manager Rating

**Significantly Above Target**

Delivers exceptional performance and actions,
far beyond role targets.

%%
This one may be overgenerous.

Joel assured me that I'm not obligated to teach,
that I could let him know if I'd prefer not to.
I stated that I did not intend to do so,
that I consider the ability to teach a subject
a requirement of its complete understanding,
and that good teachers are (rightly) given preference for it.

Counterexample to my general perception of my ability,
I brought up my time shadowed by Bryam, Joel's APM observer.
We were setting up a job,
going through the documents and filling out the OneNote,
...
%%

### Technical

Handles routine technical tasks
with growing confidence and minimal support.
Demonstrates a developing understanding of technical work,
and seeks expert guidance when necessary.

#### Manager Rating

**Significantly Above Target**

Delivers exceptional performance and actions,
far beyond role targets.

%%
We discussed my fluency in Accubid,
which is a skill I'm annoyed to have.
It's like being really good at digging trenches with a garden trowel.
Skill using a poor tool
rarely translates to skill with a better one.
%%

### Work Safety

Consistently applies safety procedures
and encourages peers to do the same.
Identifies potential safety risks
and takes steps to mitigate them in daily tasks.

#### Manager Rating

**On Target**

Regularly achieves performance targets and actions.

%%
We agreed that this one was not meant for us.
%%
