Knowing When It’s Time to Let an Employee Go

Leadership Dilemmas - How to know when it’s time to say goodbye

I worked with an executive with an employee who’d been with him for 10 years.

He’d give them a promotion, but after 12 months of poor performance, he was forced to demote them.

When this person learned they would be an individual contributor again, they threatened to resign.

The leader didn’t want to lose them, so he wanted to create a position for them.

I thought, “What are you doing? This person hasn't performed in the last year; their performance review is riddled with gaps. What message would that send to the rest of your organization?”

Thankfully they listened to my advice.

This person left the organization and they found a better fit.

Be careful - when you get too attached, you start leading with your heart and stop leading with your head.

You have to lead with BOTH.