How accurate are your judgments of the “talent” in your office? Identifying the best and worst performers in your cast is not an exact science, but here are several suggestions for improvement:

*Write it down. Do not try to memorize significant acts, both good and bad, committed by your employees. Make detailed entries in their personnel files.

*Do not stubbornly stick to initial reactions. You have to let employees change your mind. First impressions are important, but they do not have to be everlasting.

*Create objective standards. Devise a substantive means for evaluating employees. Do not let this simply turn into a popularity contest.

*Seek input from others. No one works in a vacuum. Ask other supervisors about their opinions—maybe they will change yours.

Similarly, if your employees deal with customers or clients, you might solicit feedback from those individuals.