During her tenure as the head of the Family and Children’s Services division in the San Francisco City Attorney’s Office in 2002, Vice President Kamala Harris’ team received a review that highlighted significant performance concerns. The assessment, conducted by the Department of Human Services, addressed the team’s handling of child abuse and neglect cases.

Performance Evaluation Overview

The 2002 scorecard, which was requested by the city attorney’s office, indicated that while Harris’ team excelled in delivering quality legal work and understanding complex issues, other areas required improvement. On a scale from 1 to 5, they received notably low scores:

• Thoroughness and proactivity: 2
• Deadline recognition and quick turnaround: 2
• Responsiveness to communication: 2
• Judgment shown in legal matters: 3

Leadership and Communication Concerns

The review pointed out that the variance in job performance among individual attorneys indicated a lack of cohesive leadership and communication within the unit. The evaluators noted, “Job performance varies dramatically by individual attorneys,” which raised concerns regarding the overall supervision and guidance in the division.

Impact on Harris’ Career Trajectory

Despite this mixed review, Harris went on to win the position of San Francisco District Attorney in 2003, marking the beginning of a notable political career. However, reports about her management style have continued to emerge over the years.

In 2021, multiple accounts surfaced describing the work atmosphere under Harris as “chaotic” and “tense.” Staff from her time as District Attorney and in her current role have voiced concerns about her leadership approach, with reports stating that staff felt “thrown under the bus” and criticized for a lack of preparation.

Recurring Leadership Challenges

In subsequent years, various media outlets, including Politico and the Washington Post, have echoed sentiments about Harris’ leadership style. Former staffers expressed feelings of distress, describing an environment filled with “soul-destroying criticism” where Harris’ expectations and communication often left her team in a precarious position.

One staff member noted, “With Kamala, you have to put up with a constant amount of soul-destroying criticism and also her own lack of confidence,” reflecting the pressures experienced within her offices throughout her career.