Handling The Prima Donna

Rita says : Not sure if this is the right spot or it should go project management section, just let me know if it is in the wrong area.

In my team I have a brilliant programmer that has the manners of a cave man. He codes quick and good, but when I have to take them to a customer you first have to let him yell out you before he goes into action.

I have no idea how to handle this guy.

Rita

Bernard says : Perhaps cave men should stay in caves and customer service / sales men should greet the clients?

I have met programmer who fit the mold you describe. One in particular comes to mind. I don't know of anyone who liked the guy. He was extremely anal rententive (attention to detail is not a bad trait for a programmer) and egotistical. He delighted in correcting people with the most condescending attitude.

He was forced to collaborate with me on a project and I guess my work impressed him becuase he never treated me the way he did everyone else. He even managed to say hello to me outside of the office once. Bystanders were flabbergasted.

If I were a manager in charge of this guy, there is no way I would allow him to interface with clients unless he needed to clarify/develop a project specification. Even then, I would not allow him to interface alone.

Enough rambling... HTH!

newbie says :

Rita>Not sure if this is the right spot or it should go project management section, just let me know if it is in the wrong area.

In my team I have a brilliant programmer that has the manners of a cave man. He codes quick and good, but when I have to take them to a customer you first have to let him yell out you before he goes into action.

I have no idea how to handle this guy.

Rita

Hi Rita,

I would not take him to the customer...full stop!. He might be a good coder but he is a liability to your customer relations. Tell him that he is brilliant as a coder but is an embarrassment in public. He probably feels uncomfortable there anyway and is just acting up to let you know. Make him more comfortable and leave him in the office.

newbie

bas says : I couldn't agree more. Keep him inside the office. ONLY when really needed, leave him out of the room to the customer under supervision. I know the type also :(

Cheers
Bas

salcorp says : I think chains and iron balls are out of the question right? =)

One thing you might consider (which worked great for me once) is to get him to do him own technical documentation. But not the regular kind... extensive technical documentation. So that another programmer can easily understand what he has done (this will get him used to creating detailed documentation). Next, have him do the user-documentation.
This will lead him to creating a user-documentation of greater value and easier understanding.
Then you can slap someone from comercial with it to replace him on client interaction.

Unregistered says : Hi all,

Sadly to say, I would love to leave him at the office, but there is no real alternative. Just have to put a sock in his mouth ;-)

Salcorp: thanks for the tip. Sounds as a good approach. Will discuss it within my company.

Rita

salcorp says : No problem...

remember : ogres are attracted to food, so if you need to shut him from a client visit just toss some sandwiches in a storage room

=)