Helping Someone By Firing Them

I knew I had to let him go. We’d talked, strategized and had plenty of runway for him to improve his performance, but he continued to struggle. It weighed on me and I knew he felt worse than I did.

When I told him, I said I didn’t expect him to understand or be happy about it, but that I was honestly trying to help him and I hoped that someday he would see that.

The fact is that we’re often not a good judge of our own abilities and limitations. Mix in some fear of the unknown and we will often dwell in a role trying to get it right while others can clearly see that it is not a good fit. Sometimes helping someone to move on is the most compassionate thing to do. Even if that means firing them.

A few years past. I was listening to an album he had recommended to me so I thought of him. I sent him a text and said I hoped things were going well for him.

He responded quickly:

“Thanks. Things are going really well! I got into sales for a decent size construction company and have never looked back. Having my best year ever right now! Really love what I am doing. You pushing me out of the nest was exactly what I needed. It took a year and a half to figure it out but I have looked back gratefully.”

I couldn’t have scripted a more fulfilling response! He closed the loop in a way that forever cemented my instincts into best practices that I will always endeavor to follow.

See with clarity and objectivity, act with courage and compassion and trust that positive long term outcomes can and do happen when our actions are guided by positive intentions.