Lack of self-awareness in a writer...what to do

[Gene Kim-Eng]

Unfortunately, for the most part it is.  You've discussed Tom's
shortcomings with him previously, but then you gave him a 
review rating of 3, which in most companies means "meets 
expectations" *for the employee's current position.*  Having
just officially declared that Tom's performance meets all the
expectations for his senior writing position, you must now
throw out everything you have said to him in the past about
his shortcomings and start the performance documentation/
improvement process from the beginning the next time he 
fouls up (which, from your description probably won't be 
very long).   See Pro Techwriter's response for a description 
of a possible improvement/poor performance documentation 
process, but in your case move Step 3, Go to HR, up to 
Step 1.

Gene Kim-Eng


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "TECHWR-L Administrator" <admin at techwr-l.com>
> He wants to be a team lead. The disconnect is serious. He was
> shocked at my review (barely 3 and backed by my boss), as he was
> rated at a 5 in the past years. By people who knew nothing
> about professional technical writing.

> I'm sorry this is so long. I'm looking for ideas because I'm flat
> out. Tom is easy going and well liked in the company. But for some
> reason, I can't get thru to him. I'm beginning to think this is a
> failure of my management.