High Performing - Terrible attitude

 Keep up regular O3s. Document everything. Focus on behavior. (on such-and-such a date, he threatened to punch out his supervisor), etc.

Frankly, I'm shocked the he wasn't fired for insubordination and making physical threats. Every employer I've ever worked for has had a zero tolerance policy for this type of behavior.This isn't a PIP issue at this point.

On the other hand, if your employer is fine with this behavior, I'd brush off your resume and start looking around for another opportunity. I would never work for a company where upper management thought it was acceptable for an employee to physically threaten their supervisor.

 As MT is always saying, you can't focus on attitude, only on behavior.

I think Mark & Mike described behavior as something that you can see/hear on a video tape.

In many ways, the direct's attitude doesn't matter until it is manifest as a behavior.  That goes for Good and Bad Attitudes.

What I am saying is that the Title of your post is something of a contradiction.

If the attitude is so bad that it has negative manifestations of poor unprofessional behavior,  we cannot characterize this direct as a "High Performing"

It can be said that they are high performing in some areas of the job, but not high performing in general.

In any case,  I completely empathize with you.  I know what it is like to have a direct like that and struggle with it.

The PIP will only work if you can cite behaviors.  And anything you do at this point will be perceived as a punishment by your direct.  It will be putting pressure on his behavior.

Here are some ideas maybe.... 

Behavior : Direct says he'd punch somebody.

Goal : No mentioning of violence on or towards other employees or managers. (no brainer - let him know the target for this is "0")

Behavior: Employee hijacks the conversation on one topic to complain about something else

Goal : Staying on topic during business conversations.   (Yes, you will have to count the number of times he tries to side track the conversation.)

Behavior : Expressed unwillingness to comply with a manager's request

Goal : Reduce the outward expression of unwillingess - ( Say it like this, It sounds like defiance and insubordination, I'm sure that is not what you meant.  It would be more effective if you don't like an idea that you just keep quiet about your unwilingness to comply. )

  i.e. If you don't like it say you don't like it, but you will make your best efforts to comply.

Behavior : Verbally expresses reluctance to work with the PIP process

Goal : Participate with the PIP process. Assist in the creation and tracking of your own PIP.  (Let him know that he will be rated and evaluated on his participation with the PIP.)    Target like - meet with manager (x) number of times; meet PIP goals on time; express willingness (or not express unwillingness) towards participation in the PIP process, etc.

Good Luck this wont' be easy.

I am working with a similar situation right now, stay strong.

TJPuccio

Agreed. this is completely unacceptable. 

Personally, I would document everything with great detail. I would also, if circumstances permitted leave as the environment in which you work can effect other aspects of your life and it is essential that you are not impacting your mental wellbeing with this conflict you are being forced to endure on a daily basis.

Nat Brown

http://www.linkageanz.com.au/

First, this assumes you're located in the US.  If you're not, please let us know where you are located as some of this may change slightly.  

As others have said, what he did was unacceptable.  He is NOT a high-performer, if he feels that destroying his relationship with you is good for his career.  And make no mistake, he did.  

First, have your kept your boss in the loop?  Make sure he has your back and will give you political cover. He probably won't have to do anything, but you don't want to surprise him.

I think you're overestimating the power that HR has. I apologize in advance to the HR professionals out there, but in 99% of the companies, HR is a cost center.  Work with them, use their advice to keep from getting the company in trouble legally.  But if you have your documentation, move forward.  Go through the formal process with HR.  Put together the PIP, no matter what the format. 

You need to decide if the relationship can be repaired. From what you've said, it sounds like it isn't. And the situation can't continue.

But when you deliver the PIP to him, say verbally:  "Dude, it's obvious you don't like working for me. I don't know that your feelings are going to change.  I'm not going anywhere.  This is a 90 day PIP.  It is in both our best interests to change this situation. Internally or externally, before the 90 days are up.  He'll get the hint.  And you need to work like heck to make the transition work smoothly. 

Listen to the CORKY STORY podcasts on this site. Document like crazy and make sure you boss is in the loop.  But don't let that stop you from doing what's necessary.  As a manager, that's the part of the job that is painful, but rewarding.  You have to do what's necessary.

And I'm 100% serious here, buy him the resume review guide on this site.  Help him to move on to another opportunity that's better suited for him.

Hi PWenger,

Sounds like a problem and people above have provided great feedback and options to consider and work on.

High performer or not abuse is not acceptable and not to be tolerated and I have seen people dismissed as a result.

What is the firm competency framework and behaviours that define them?

Rather than reinvent the wheel use this to collectively agree on what success looks like in his role, use the firm language for discussions about development and provide feedback on how this is impacting on his high performance and promote transparency around the behaviours that will be recognised and rewarded and the implications where it is not.

Eg.

•  Personal Leadership - creates a postive, professional impression when interacting with others.
• Maintains a positive outlook - recognises their own feelings and how their behaviour impacts on others.
• Lives the values - behaves consistently with the firm's values in their interactions with others.

Hopefully that makes sense.Look forward to hearing how things progress.

Cheers Allan 3365

I'd fire him outright. I'd tell HR, "This is a textbook example of a hostile workplace. I won't work in one. You will either allow me to fire this man, or you'll talk to my lawyer. It may be 'He said. She said;' however, in this case there are two factors that mitigate the situation: I am a manager responsible for myself and all of my directs, and also I have nothing to gain by making a false accusation. You have a choice: Fire him now or allow me to do so."

Now, that's probably a bit harsh, as well, but again I'm trying to make my point clear on a written forum on the internet. I don't tolerate workplace violence and I do not tolerate liars. This man is responsible for both transgressions. Performance improvement plan? What could he do to improve enough to overcome those two things? Unless he starts healing lepers or turning lead into gold, I'd have him out the door with a security escort before his breakfast gets cold.

 Pwenger,

I sounds like you are in a very difficult situation.

I wish you the very best .

In the meantime have a laugh.  

Your description of the PIP reminded me of this :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xP0MCbxaSaE

TJPuccio

 It looks like you're proceeding down a positive path.  One thing I'd consider in your situation - I don't think I'd meet with this person again without a witness.  If they're willing to lie to deny a threat then they may be willing to fabricate things you've said to make you look bad or even to accuse you of violating company policy.   If you decide to go this route it might help drive the point home with HR that you are concerned not just with this person's honesty but with your personal safety.  Part of the improvement plan would include markers making a witness no longer necessary.

Knowing he won't be able to lie again might help mitigate his behavior as well.