Asperger Productivity

There is an employee in my old company who my past boss has concluded "may be a bit autistic".

The reason why he thinks this is because the person concerned works in his own way, at his own pace and doesn't seem receptive to cajoling, commands or even threats - he just carries on the way he does.

He is also a highly talented software developer and the system that the company is deevloping is highly original and based on the employee's vision and unique line of thought.

All of this rings true with me of course. What I have noticed is that the person works in his own way and agenda and to his preferred mode of operating. What this also means however, is that his productivity is variable. He seems to have spurts when he is highly productive and other periods when he simply doesn't seem bothered.

What has been interesting for me as someone with Asperger (my ex-boss is unaware of my condition) observing from "outside in", is the effect that it has on the company and fellow employees.

Firstly, even though the employee is aware of his responsbiliies and that his output is central/critical to the company overall, there seems to be no real urgency to his work.

What makes this even more surprising is that the system he is building is his one-off opportunity to make a name for himself, realise his dream and, to be honest, make a lot of money! My ex-boss, who is a highly intelligent, principled, honest and tolerant person, is at a loss as to how to motivate him.

The other thing is that his co-workers don't believe that he is ulling his weight and, as a result, he has not secured a high degree of respect.

If I was brutally honest with myself - which I always try to be - I have reflected on this and looked quite critically at myself. The reason being is that, like the employee mentioned, above I work at my own pace and to my wn requirements.

These are not, of course, what others may require.....