Previous research on achievement goal orientation theory has considered the influence of an individual's performance or learning goal orientation on goal setting, motivation to continue working towards a goal, and ultimate goal attainment. However, in many environments, including school and the workplace, there is a good chance that an individual is influenced or coerced to establish goals that are approved by another (e.g., individual's teacher or manager) that may be congruent or incongruent with their own individual goal orientation. This investigation considers a broad question, what is the influence of an authority figure's goal orientation on an individual's established goals? The annual performance review discussion, and in particular, the annual goal review and discussion are potentially revealing or personal conversations between managers and employees. Through the lens of goal orientation theory, this investigation will use managers' attitudes and perceptions, along with their stated goal preferences to determine if a manager's goal orientation could have a positive or negative impact on the goals that he or she supports in his or her employees. This study explores middle management's support of employee goals that are set as part of the Staff Review and Development process (SRDP) within the Information Technology department at a large research university and how this support may be influenced by manager's individual goal orientations. Results of this study indicate that there was no significant difference between a manger's goal orientation and the manager's preference for type of employee goal (learning or performance), nor between a manager's goal orientation and the manager's goal discussion or goal support behaviors.