Some of the hardest things I’d ever done

 / 

One of our more sobering discussions at the weekend’s unConference happened over dinner on Saturday evening. We talked about the idea of managers letting people go.

One of our more sobering discussions at the weekend’s unConference happened over dinner on Saturday evening. We talked about the idea of managers letting people go.

It brought back painful memories because I’ve been in that position myself as a leader a few times. When I close my eyes I see every one of those faces and each conversation is forever etched in my mind.

It reminds me of something I read in good old Nutron Jack’s autobiography. The former CEO of GE said he looked for two key ingredients in a leader:

1. They MUST be able to fire someone.
2. They MUST NOT enjoy firing someone.

Many of those around the dinner table said they could never do it. For me it was certainly some of the hardest things I’d ever done.


hashtag
#people
hashtag
#heart
hashtag
#mind
…see more