In the end, it is up to the individual manager to set the tone. Large companies lose the employees in the mass. The manager knows his people and needs to provide everything covered in the article.

Yes, he or she is bound by rules. But there are ways to deal with them (I did) and it worked fine. I always had more great reviews for my people than allowed. i always got a higher budget when others got trimmed. It is a game and once you learn it and the rules, it is easy to beat, if you want to.