In yesterday’s Meeting of the Titans session, the Member in focus shared his challenges with having let a long term, key team member go last week, and the fallout from that for him personally and also in terms of the business, and now needing to negotiate the exit. It was a necessary change and one that he thought he had positioned with the team member ahead of time, but when it finally happened, it hadn’t been well received.
A few of the Brains Trust shared their experiences of recently having let go of key players who weren’t on the same path, and another Member who is preparing to, but hadn’t yet. The wisdom from those who’d recently done something similar and had had a chance to process their way through the situations was invaluable for the Member in focus.
They offered support and suggestions in terms of the inner work in order to be in the best and most balanced place when dealing with it, as well as practical tips of dealing with the business repercussions of the exit. A great example being, slowing the communication right down to allow time and space for the process and therefore reducing the chance of it feeling like an argument that someone needed to win, and allowing other things to come into play that will support the process.
Although it can be challenging, sometimes letting someone go is the move that needs to be made in order to not compromise on culture or performance for the company.
If the person has been with you for a long time, perhaps even having been a rock within the team for a number of years, it can seem harder. It’s good to remember that if it’s not right for you anymore, it’s not the right fit for them either, and letting them go gives them a chance to find a position which is better suited for them.
Yesterday’s session was also the first ‘Titans’ since the Club’s in-person event in Perth and it was awesome to see and hear the newer Club Members coming in strong off the back of that event. The cohesion and camaraderie within the group is creating amazing and dynamic interactions which we all enjoy and benefit from.
