On Being A Manager

I recall the struggle I went through when faced with the dismissal of an employee. I'd worry that they wouldn't find another job, their ego would suffer, their family would suffer, etc. And, to be honest, how do to it gently so they wouldn't be hurt. Thus I tended to delay the inevitable at a cost to others.

As the years passed I came to have a different perspective. First was the evaluation. If the employee was sincerely trying and was simply, for some reason, unable to perform the job, I still sought to terminate them with compassion and gently as I could. If, on the other hand, they were showing me that they were deliberately undermining the company and employees through their behavior and actions - the end would come swiftly and with little gentleness. We are each responsible for our actions and behavior as adults.

The primary factor that I kept to the forefront of my mind was the other employees. Was I being fair to them to continue the employment of someone that couldn't or wouldn't do their job? I needed to respect those who showed maturity, integrity and effort.

Perhaps the person I was dismissing was trying to do their best, had a family to support, etc., these were never easy but I reminded myself the folks remaining had families and had their own life problems. A company is not a counseling center (normally) or there to support people beyond that which could reasonably be done and still achieve its profit making goals. A company not making a profit is not serving the needs of anyone.

What struck me was how relieved everyone else was when I did terminate the person. Either it was relief at having a dysfunctional personality out of their midst or relief that they no longer had to watch a train wreck in progress.

Therefore my mantra was, who am I supporting and respecting. Are they doing what must be done? It was never just me and the other person, it was the entire group.