How to Overcome Your Fear of Firing
OVERCOMING FEAR OF FIRING "It was obvious that this employee could not relate well to clients. But I could not bring myself to fire him.? and while I wavered, things only got worse for everyone in the department." Having to fire someone is one of the most difficult actions any manager or executive may have to take. It is an action that many manager's find endless excuses to avoid, as did the executive quoted above. Yet, in certain cases it is unavoidable. Firing is a managerial art that many otherwise successful supervisor's neglect to develop. WHEN IS FIRING APPROPRIATE? Most people take pride in and care about their job responsibilities. There are some people, however, whose pride in their job is, unfortunately, unwarranted. Others, exist who don't think pride enters into it - that "a job's a job" .Still others are of the belief that they deserve a job because of their circumstances, or their longevity, not necessarily because they are working up to standard. Some people genuinely need a job, but cannot do the quality of work necessary to sustain their position. When the needs of an individual staff member come into serious conflict with the needs of the group, the manager must place higher priority on the well-being of the group. The manager must look beyond the individual needs to the survival of the organization. LAYING THE GROUNDWORK: The best method for avoiding the negative consequences of the firing process involve laying the groundwork, with actions that should be taken long before the final decision to fire is made. All personnel working in an organization should know, from the day they are hired, what actions or behaviors on their part can result in their being fired. These policies should be in writing, and they should be given to all employees or posted in a conspicuous place. Employees have a right to know these ground rules. Once they know them, their responsibility to abide by them should not be subject to question at a termination. Copyright AE Schwartz & Associates All rights reserved. For additional presentation materials and resources: ReadySetPresent and for a Free listing as a Trainer, Consultant, Speaker, Vendor/Organization: TrainingConsortium CEO, A.E. Schwartz & Associates, Boston, MA., a comprehensive organization which offers over 40 skills based management training programs. Mr. Schwartz conducts over 150 programs annually for clients in industry, research, technology, government, Fortune 100/500 companies, and nonprofit organizations worldwide. He is often found at conferences as a key note presenter and/or facilitator. His style is fast-paced, participatory, practical, and humorous. He has authored over 65 books and products, and taught/lectured at over a dozen colleges and universities throughout the United States.
Related News
|
 |
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
The Three-category Approach to Performance Management: Effort, Ability, or Environment
Performance Management is the act of managing personal or organizational performance. What can complicate this process are all the factors that can arise where a textbook process meets the situations and people that exist in your world. As an effective director, manager, or supervisor it is your job to ensure the success of the organization by achieving of all key performance indicators.
Organisational Culture for Continuous Improvement
I have been working with leading Business Improvement guru, Tim Franklin, preparing the PR for his latest book which offers an introduction to Continuous Improvement (CI) at beginner level, encompassing Lean, TQM, Six Sigma and the other related methodologies of CI.
Passion for Profits
Business owners and managers are busier than ever. As their businesses grow and become more complex, they find that they don't have the time to be all things to all people. In the early stages of a business, the owner or manager waits on customers, does the buying, collects past due accounts, supervises just about everyone on staff and may even stay late to stuff the monthly statements.
Bye-Bye Boring Meetings! Make Yours Remarkable!
It's the middle of the night. You've woken up with a brilliant idea on how to improve the way your business product is delivered to your customers. You scribble it down and can't wait to share it with your co-workers during your morning meeting.
Be a Leader - The Importance of Going Home Early!
How you run your business is, of course your business. A little focus from your
end will dictate the way your people act and behave. So the onus is on you to
show the way.Why does this matter?If you create a style of working within your organisation which is able to get the very best from your people, you will have a vibrant business, your people will develop beyond their (and even your) expectations and above all, you will enjoy your work and success more than ever before. Try these eleven quick and easy ideas:-
Workplace Violence - People are Dying Going to Work
Workplace violence has become a tragic reality today. From minor instances of harassment to homicide today's workplace is littered with danger.
Performance Appraisal Checklist: Raise Not Just Appraise Performance
It's that time again! Perhaps the most dreaded management practice is the annual performance review. Whenever the subject comes up, out comes the groans from both managers and staff no matter what industry or type of company. Many say appraisals are like having a root canal ? only more painful. It shouldn't be.
Create Your Dashboard for Success
Driving down the road our eyes frequently scan the vital instruments on the dashboard that monitor speed, fuel level, coolant temperature, and oil pressure. The modern vehicle also has many more devices that constantly monitor various systems for fuel mixture, exhaust gasses, timing adjustment and others. If there is something amiss, sensors trigger the "check-engine" light. As long as the instruments register within their normal range the "check-engine" light stays off and we drive along confidently that we will reach our destination safely and without problems.
The Seven Cs: Partnership Danger Signs - Competitive, Not Complementary Action
A series of articles exploring the seven critical areas that can indicate a partnership is in trouble.
Improved Communication to Improve Results
Facilitating good communication can make the difference between a well oiled, effective team and disorganization and ambiguity. By following the tips below, you, the supervisor, can take steps toward improving communication with your employees:
How to Delegate More Effectively
Do this simple excercise, and transform your life.
Managing Change - Get it Right
In any event, getting the process right is a vital component. The credibility of the change managers will be scrutinised closely enough on the issue itself, with all processes in place. If process is at fault too, then things can get very messy indeed.
Innovation Management ? Measuring Failure!
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation whilst innovation can be defined as idea selection, development and commercialisation.
How to Prepare for Your Companys Financial Future
Sooner or later, most business owners need to look for outside financing. Whether it's a line of credit with a bank to handle predictable cash crunches or a significant capital investment to improve plant and equipment, virtually every business will need access to additional funds at some point in its life.
Hiring Great People And How to Be One Yourself: Five Secrets
Bad news.
Five Steps to Increase the People Power in Your Business
Take some bold steps and help your employees and business partners open up to real change and help them start thinking again to the longer term. Send a message that you are ready to commit to new ways of thinking and that that includes a commitment to the success of your employees in the changing workplace.
Drafting an Employee Manual Sample Outline
One of the hardest things I had discovered running my company was drafting an Employee Manual. Also added to the stress was the fact that if you made a mistake someone could sue you and you might lose all your hard work and money that you had earned thru blood, sweat and tears as an entrepreneur. You will need an employee manual for your company to protect yourself; but where do you start?
Giving a Good Appraisal Interview
Although this performance discussion is an opportunity for you to discuss your employee's work during a given period of time, it is also, and importantly, a time for you and your employee to check perceptions and reach mutual understandings and agreements about the purposes and priorities of their jobs. This discussion can positively influence your mutual working relationship. For the performance appraisal process to fulfill its purposes, both of you need to actively participate. If you find that your ideas about the job are different from those of your employee, you should not be reluctant to encourage your employee to explain their perceptions. In preparing your employees to participate fully and productively, have them consider their job and their performance in terms of the following questions. Have them plan to provide feedback about what is going well and what could be done differently that would be beneficial for them and their job.
A Sense of Humor in the Workplace ... Is it Me? Or, was that not funny?
When I was first initiated into Corporate America, I had a sense of humor that went unmatched by any mortal soul. I was quick-witted, smart, sharp, and knew every gag and joke available to humanity. Most of it, I learned in college. But, college never really did teach the fact that having a sense of humor in the workplace is different than 'jocularity.' After a few brushes with career-chaos, I realized that the definition of 'corporate humor' deals with how one handles oneself and not how one can elicit laughter.
Management to the Vision-Contribution and the Role of Compliance
As a manager our role is to:
|
