Painful -- have to eliminate someone's position

[2boys2danes]

Argh... I manage a small but mighty team and we have all been together from 7-12 years.  I'm the Sr Director and started the department 13 years ago.  I have one guy who has been an elearning analyst for me for 7 years.  Its not part of my core business (we do organizational development/coaching/succession planning, etc) but he and the other technical trainer didnt have steady management about 7 years ago so they came on over to be with my team.  

Anyway, he's known for a couple of years that his position has been morphing away from elearning and towards what the rest of us do.  He has tried so hard but he just cant do it.  He talks excessively, frustrates executives he tries to communicate with, cant command a room in terms of training or facilitating.  He's a nice guy but at this point he's holding back our progress and I feel like he does half as much as everyone else and we just have too much work to do to not have everyone giving 110 percent. 

I'm shopping him around the organization to see if anyone else can absorb him or needs his skill set but its not looking good.  I hate this but I know its the right thing to do..

sorry for the long post, had to put it somewhere....if anyone has any good ideas, i'm open

[Deleted]

Was he ever given a development plan? Could someone in the group mentor/shadow him and give him feedback on his style?

This is hard, it's kind of one of those careers you either get or don't. But maybe with a bit of guidance he has potential?

[2boys2danes]

Feb 5, 2013 15:10:52 GMT -5 @randomcdn said:

Was he ever given a development plan? Could someone in the group mentor/shadow him and give him feedback on his style?

This is hard, it's kind of one of those careers you either get or don't. But maybe with a bit of guidance he has potential?

I wish he could do the work but he just doesnt have it.  Yes, he knows that he is the weakest link and that his skills are not up to where they need to be.  In all fairness, we've been very open with him about where he is and he really hasnt taken it upon himself to educate himself much or show initiative.  So, in that regard, I dont feel quite as bad.  We have had him do project work with each of us for about two years now.  It's time. 

[Deleted]

Feb 5, 2013 16:00:34 GMT -5 2boys2danes said:

Feb 5, 2013 15:10:52 GMT -5 @randomcdn said:

Was he ever given a development plan? Could someone in the group mentor/shadow him and give him feedback on his style?

This is hard, it's kind of one of those careers you either get or don't. But maybe with a bit of guidance he has potential?

I wish he could do the work but he just doesnt have it.  Yes, he knows that he is the weakest link and that his skills are not up to where they need to be.  In all fairness, we've been very open with him about where he is and he really hasnt taken it upon himself to educate himself much or show initiative.  So, in that regard, I dont feel quite as bad.  We have had him do project work with each of us for about two years now.  It's time. 

So you feel bad because you like the guy and he's a good employee - but he's the wrong fit for the job he's in?  That is unfortunate, but sounds like you've done what you could on your end.  He's not interested in the work you have I guess. 

Hopefully knowing this is what the end result would be he's prepared.  Sounds like you may be able to pass a lead his way.  Sometimes a fresh start is just as good. 

[Deleted]

That sucks. I hate doing stuff like that. It makes me feel icky.