“Appraisals are where you get together with your team leader and agree what an outstanding member of the team you are, how much your contribution has been valued, what massive potential you have and, in recognition of all this, would you mind having your salary halved.”
- October 27, 1858 – January 6, 1919
- American
- Politician, military officer
- Served as the 26th President of the United States, promoted progressive reforms and environmental conservation policies, and supported the construction of the Panama Canal
Quote
“Appraisals are where you get together with your team leader and agree what an outstanding member of the team you are, how much your contribution has been valued, what massive potential you have and, in recognition of all this, would you mind having your salary halved.”
Explanation
In this quote, Roosevelt humorously critiques the disconnect that often occurs in workplace performance appraisals. He highlights the irony of a typical appraisal process, where employees are told how valuable and outstanding they are, only to be faced with the suggestion of a salary reduction—a clear contradiction to the praise they just received. Roosevelt uses this tongue-in-cheek description to point out the sometimes hypocrisy or ineffectiveness of formal evaluation processes, where the recognition of an employee’s potential and contributions doesn’t always align with tangible rewards or fair compensation.
Although the quote is framed humorously, it reflects a real frustration that many workers experience when their hard work and value are not appropriately recognized or rewarded. Roosevelt, who understood the importance of fairness in leadership, believed that individuals should be treated with respect and rewarded for their contributions. He was an advocate for justice and equity, both in political policy and in the treatment of workers.
In modern organizational contexts, this quote still resonates in the discussion of employee recognition and compensation. Many workers feel that performance reviews often fail to reflect their true value or that their efforts are not adequately compensated. Roosevelt’s words serve as a reminder that meaningful recognition should come with fair rewards—whether in terms of salary, benefits, or career advancement—and that organizations must ensure their appraisal systems are both honest and fair in valuing employees.
