Overappraising

Overappraising is the act of assigning an excessive or inflated value to something, whether it be a tangible object, an intangible concept, or an individual's abilities or performance. It signifies a judgment that is higher than what is realistically warranted based on objective criteria or evidence. This can result from subjective biases, inflated expectations, or a lack of thorough and critical evaluation. The consequences of overappraising can range from misguided investments and poor decision-making to the development of unrealistic self-perceptions and flawed strategic planning. It stands in contrast to a balanced or accurate appraisal.

Overappraising meaning with examples

• The art collector, blinded by hype, was accused of overappraising the unsigned painting, ignoring crucial evidence that questioned its authenticity. His desire to own a 'masterpiece' clouded his judgment, ultimately leading to a substantial financial loss when it was deemed a forgery. This highlighted the dangers of emotional investment in appraisals.
• The company, eager to secure a lucrative contract, made the mistake of overappraising their projected market share, painting a picture of unrealistic demand. Their inflated projections led to aggressive bidding and a commitment they couldn't meet, eventually resulting in significant financial losses and reputational damage in the industry.
• After receiving glowing feedback, the young actor began overappraising his own talents, demanding unreasonable fees and rejecting roles that offered valuable experience. His inflated sense of self-importance alienated potential collaborators and hindered his career progression, eventually leading to a stagnation of the career and a lack of realistic expectations.
• The manager, prone to excessive optimism, made the error of overappraising a new employee's capabilities during the initial performance review. He overlooked weaknesses, resulting in a series of missed deadlines and subpar work. The overestimation of the employee’s skills proved detrimental to the project and the employee's development.