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Submitted by lar12 on
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Should I ignore my boss' "suggestion" to have my direct provide a written performance improvement plan?

The 2nd week after I started O3s I had to have a formal counseling session with a direct due to multiple, specific, customer complaints. This direct received her first documented counseling/eval in 28 years, 2 months ago, the week before she became my direct. Using a modified feedback model - when you, it does, will you - I got my point across that her behavior was unacceptable, not in line with our values and needed to change. 

After the conversation I wrote my notes down and then provided them to my boss about a week later. He commented that I need to obtain a written performance improvement plan from her and let her "own" her performance. My issues are:

1) the feedback occurred, move on - I believe that was one of the points in the feedback model

2) there is a record of the feedback in her file

3) my relationship with the direct is VERY, VERY new. She is a 28 year employee with a ton of valuable experience. I'm concerned that revisiting the "feedback" and asking for a formal improvement plan will sever what little relationship we've built

4) my boss is rarely in the office and rarely interacts with me or my team. I will only see him once this month

5) when I provide feedback again for this behavior, I should/will ask for a formal improvement plan

mfculbert's picture

 I need a bit more information but will try to give a couple options of how to proceed.

If your experience with your boss is extensive and you know he will insist on a more formal document then you should step up and create that. Your direct should be able to understand that "the system" needs this form completed.

If you do not have history that implies less flexibility from your boss, I would respond directly and proactively rather than "ignoring" the suggestion. Tell your boss your plans to change behavior with multiple feedback points. Also let him know that you want to get the best from her experience while not letting this behavior repeat in the future.

Are you by chance an S in the DISC profile?

lar12's picture
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I'm a high D. 7-1-2-4. 

Thanks for the advice. My relationship with my boss is less than ideal. He is a high D & travels frequently. As i'm in a support role,  he has little time for me when he is in the office. He spends his time with his directs to whom my team supports.

Every definition of a successful life includes service to others - President George H.W. Bush

7-1-2-4