Letting People Go.

An Insight from In the Room

“I have to let them go but it is difficult because the problem is their attitude rather than their performance.”

Nothing is forever, especially in business nowadays.

As a person working in a business, we need to feel valuable and indispensable. That is key to our sense of purpose.

However, a business with key person dependency is fragile and breaks easily. The business does not want to rely on individuals to function.

There is a tension here.

However, it feels like it can be resolved.

A strong business runs on Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and has a lot of battle-hardened systems.

Within that structure, the people bring their flair, insight, expertise and individual beauty. A good Procedure is able to adapt and is flexible enough to adjust to the person implementing it.

Around the spine of SOPs is the messy, evolving, awesomeness brought by excellent people.

Then when people move on or are moved on or are not a cultural fit, we can miss their contribution but not worry about the business falling to pieces.

PS. There is so much written about letting people go, see below.

Wisdom from Out the Room

“When you know you need to make a people change, act.” - Jim Collins Good to Great

“‘Bad’ workers may have a stronger effect on the firm than ‘Good’ workers” - Housman and Minor Harvard Business Review

“The standard you walk past is the standard you accept.” - David Morrison former Chief of Army

“Clear is kind. Unclear is unkind.” - Brené Brown

On people who hit their numbers but don’t share the values: “Those are the ones who kill companies.” - Jack Welch

Books to Read with Advice on Letting People Go

Good to Great - Jim Collins

The Hard Thing About Hard Things - Ben Horowitz

Radical Candor - Kim Scott