As long as stack-ranking is only done to adjust compensation, I don't really see the problem.
As a more traditional manager, I have to consider salary adjustments for my employees. What Valve seems to be doing is to let everyone consider salary adjustments for (half) of the team.
And since the rankings appear to be averaged out, one vindictive co-worker isn't likely to screw you over.
>it creates a general atmosphere of distrust.
Alternately, it creates a culture of responsibility. You want to do well in stack-ranking, so you're going to do your best work.
Finally, 50% of any group are below average. I honestly wouldn't mind being considered "the dumbest guy in the room" if I got to work at a dream company. See the following quote from Moby Dick:
>And there is a Catskill eagle in some souls that can alike dive down into the blackest gorges, and soar out of them again and become invisible in the sunny spaces. And even if he for ever flies within the gorge, that gorge is in the mountains; so that even in his lowest swoop the mountain eagle is still higher than other birds upon the plain, even though they soar.
As a more traditional manager, I have to consider salary adjustments for my employees. What Valve seems to be doing is to let everyone consider salary adjustments for (half) of the team.
And since the rankings appear to be averaged out, one vindictive co-worker isn't likely to screw you over.
>it creates a general atmosphere of distrust.
Alternately, it creates a culture of responsibility. You want to do well in stack-ranking, so you're going to do your best work.
Finally, 50% of any group are below average. I honestly wouldn't mind being considered "the dumbest guy in the room" if I got to work at a dream company. See the following quote from Moby Dick:
>And there is a Catskill eagle in some souls that can alike dive down into the blackest gorges, and soar out of them again and become invisible in the sunny spaces. And even if he for ever flies within the gorge, that gorge is in the mountains; so that even in his lowest swoop the mountain eagle is still higher than other birds upon the plain, even though they soar.