How Do You Know It’s Time To Let Someone Go?

Leaders get a bad rap for firing people, as if they enjoy it. Most leaders we work with dread it. They agonize over the decision. They hate the impact that their actions can have on a person’s life, their team, and the company. They want to make friends, not enemies.

Yeah, there are those few ruthless leaders who get rid of people way too soon. They’re the exception. Usually a leader keeps people too long.

Why don’t leaders make the call?

• They are afraid of the conflict.
• They blame themselves.
• They don’t want to admit a poor hiring decision or inability to correct the problem.

A leader’s job is to;

• Foster a safe, supportive environment so employees don’t hold back.
• Facilitate collaborative problem-solving so employees take ownership for performance.
• Clarify purpose and goals so employees see how they fit into the big picture and what you want from them.

So, ask yourself:

• Have you provided a safe, supportive environment where they can tell you what’s really going on?
• Have they been give clear feedback about their behavior or performance and how it’s affecting others?
• Have they been offered resources and support to change?

If the answer is yes to all three and the behavior still hasn’t changed, it’s time to let them go. If you answer NO to any of these, it’s time to look in the mirror.

Copyright Next Element Consulting, LLC 2018