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KPAs are just a guideline - find out what is really important to your boss

KPAs, KPIs, Job Descriptions - and whatever other acronym you might be using, they all do the same thing - define the performance areas, describe the job, lay out objectives, success factors etc
You know what they are, you understand the job, you are delivering according to the requirements, but you have the impression that your boss is not really that happy with you.
It might just be that you don't understand your boss!
During my career, I have reported into a number of people with huge variations of management style.
  • There were the detail people, they needed to understand everything down to a granular level
  • There were the big picture managers, just paint the situation in broad strokes, and mention any risk
  • There were those who wanted everything in writing
  • There were those who wanted to talk situations through in great detail, and get nothing to read 
You get the picture...
The critical way to success in a job is to understand what presses your boss's buttons.
If you are not able to adapt, it could be an incompatibility issue, but most of the time it is about aligning the way you report to the way your boss likes to be informed!
So if your style is all about putting your head down and working from A to Z, completing the task and triumphantly presenting the finished product to your manager, and she likes to have stage by stage feedback, you will be fulfilling your KPAs but creating stress for the person who is currently controlling your opportunities for growth and interesting work.
It is important to observe whether the manager’s behaviour is standard across the board, because then it is a style.
However, if you know you are performing at optimum levels, and believe that you are under appreciated, ask where the gap is.  
This is not about neediness or requiring a personal thank you on a daily basis, it’s simply about career management.

Links, References and Notes

Accsys provides people management solutions ie Payroll, Human Resources (HR), Time and Attendance as well as Access Control/Visitor Management.
The company develops, implements, trains and services our solutions.  We provide readers, turnstiles, booms and CCTV.
We run both on premise and in the cloud, as well as mobile options for ESS.  Recruitment, online education and Outsourcing are part of our offering, too.
http://www.accsys.co.za/accsys-peopleplace-talent-management
email:      tschroenn@accsys.co.za
twitter:   @TerylSchroenn

Note:   Thank you for reading Teryl@Work.   Should you wish to use any of the material, please acknowledge this blog as the source.
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