I've got a developer who seems to be very talented, but absolutely melts when I'm working with him one-on-one. It's like his mind shuts off when he's at the keyboard and we're trying to work through something - he can't type properly, his thoughts race in many different directions, and we never seem to accomplish anything. When he's working on his own, though, or isn't at a keyboard, he can very clearly explain his thought process and ideas. I know that he's not just pretending to know how to code - it just seems like extreme anxiety in certain situations. He's aware of the situation, and has apologized for it a handful of times.
I feel like this is preventing him from reaching his potential, but I'm not sure how to approach it. Should I be putting the bulk of my efforts into helping his anxiety, or should I put my efforts into working with him in ways that are more comfortable for him? If you have been on either end of this situation, could you offer any advice?
