How to fire a friend without hiding behind the process
Prepare the employment decision with counsel, then deliver it directly and respectfully. Acknowledge the relationship without asking your friend to comfort...
The journal
Articles
Essays on judgment, influence, and what happens when the stakes get personal.
How to decide when it is time to let an executive go
An outcome-and-support review for deciding whether to continue a correction plan or seek advice on an executive exit.
What a CEO should say in an executive exit meeting
An executive exit meeting should state the reviewed decision clearly, explain the immediate practical steps, and avoid a debate disguised as consultation.
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What to say when an executive is missing expectations
Address an executive’s missed expectations by naming the required outcome, the observed gap, and the next review.
How to lead executive exits and restructuring with care
Map the people decisions before announcing the new structure. Coordinate employment counsel, HR, and operating owners so each affected person receives clea...
How to keep work moving after a key executive leaves
Keep work moving after a key executive leaves by transferring each live dependency to an accountable owner. Start with decisions and relationships that cou...
How to announce an executive departure to employees
State the verified departure information and explain who owns the work next. Set a boundary around private employment matters and avoid implying reasons th...
Should you reduce an executive’s role instead of firing them?
Reduce an executive’s role only when a genuine business need remains and the revised job can be made workable.
Who should decide what, and when should a decision escalate?
Assign each recurring decision to an accountable role and specify when consultation or escalation is required. Define triggers around authority, consequenc...