You have to assume that the authors of these literary masterpieces are applying my Auntie's rule of thumb, "if you can't say anything nice, then don't say anything at all". With Gong write up-ups and Annual Appraisals the trouble starts when people begin to believe their own publicity. It's simply there to get you promoted/posted/awarded/cashiered/transferred/operated upon. It doesn't have to be true, just read.