Is it really possible to identify the #1 mistake? I don't know, but just this week several things have popped up on my digital devices this week. They addressed the subject of firing people.
Not a pleasant topic to be sure, but the three authors and leaders in their respective fields had lots to say.
Kelly Eggers, writing in the Wall Street Journal had an aritcle entitled Ten Things That Can Get You Fired. While most of it seems like common sense, in truth people who should be fired often are not.
That's the message from megachurch pastor Ed Young. In fact, he says that a high-powered business leader told him that the biggest mistake he ever made as a leader was waiting too long to fire someone.
Think about it. Why do leaders keep people who are bucking the system, possess a poor attitude, demonstrate disloyalty, continually cause stress, are lazy, or simply not working out?
There are at least 4 reasons leaders keep people who should be let go:
1. We lack courage to terminate someone.
2. Others will be upset if we fire someone they like.
3. In the church, we should exercise more grace (Note: Sounds good, but only if you believe the church is doing insignificant work and it doesn't matter if you waste money on a disruptive employee).
4. We all want to be liked, and when you fire someone the friendship is over (If you want to read a good book in which this is addressed, let me suggest the book Onward by Howard Schultz (founder and current CEO of Starbucks. He had to eliminate a former CEO and it cost him a friendship).
Seth Godin, a notable author and highly sought after leader and speaker says, "Successful organizations (and I include churches and political parties on the list) fire the 1% of their constituents that cause 95% of the pain."
Bottom line, when we are slow to let people go, it hurts the organization, hinders you from reaching new customers, and affects you (if you are the leader) emotionally.
So what's the solution?
1. If people are causing a significant amount of stress fire them. Why pay someone to create havoc in your life. You can get that done for free.
2. Look at the monetary cost. If keeping someone is hurting the organization financially its time to let him go.
3. Act quickly. Because, it's too easy not to.
4. Be honest and clear why the termination is happening.
5. Realize that they probably aren't happy anyway. You are doing them a favor. At the time it may not feel like it, but it will soon. Take a palm tree. I love Virginia, but you can't grow palm trees in Virginia. The environment simply won't allow it. The palm tree will be much happier in a different environment, like Florida. I don't want to live in Florida, but palm trees do. Some will function much better in a different place of employment.
6. Do not let your emotions decide. Firing is tough, no matter what.
7. Move on and get back to doing business the right way with the right people.
Firing will never be easy. I'm glad it's not something I'm in the middle of. Should it ever come up, maybe I will revisit what I just wrote. But at the end of the day, if you are in a leadership position do not make what may be the # 1 Leadership Mistake: Waiting too long to fire someone!