“He is in a bit over his head,” Ron explained. “Miguel has been with the company for three years, now. He was promoted to manager about six weeks ago. I just don’t know if he is cut out for the job.”

“What does his behavior tell you?” I asked.

“It’s funny. All of a sudden, he has become defensive about things. When he misses a deadline, and he has missed a few lately, instead of owning up, taking responsibility, he gets angry, blaming this or that. Because he gets angry, people around him back away and let him off the hook.”

“What do you think would improve his feeling of being overwhelmed with his new job?”

Ron had to think on this one. Finally, he shook his head, not sure, “He just needs to get organized.”

“And how do you organize yourself in a new job?”

“I don’t know,” started Ron. “Something to help you remember all the things you are responsible for?”

“And what do you call that?” I pressed. “You have one. At some point, your boss sat down with you and hammered one out.”

“You mean, my job description?” Ron stopped. “Come to think of it, Miguel has been working for the past six weeks without one.”

“Okay, now I want you to change the name of Miguel’s job description. From now on, I want you to call it a Performance Contract. Before we meet again, I want you to sit down with Miguel and hammer out his Performance Contract.” -TF