214. How To Fire Someone Without Feeling Like The Bad Guy

Are you avoiding firing an underperforming employee because you feel like the bad guy? What if I told you that avoiding it is actually the bigger leadership failure? In this episode, I break down exactly how to handle terminations with clarity, confidence, and respect—so both you and the employee can walk away feeling like the process was handled the right way.

You’ll learn:

• How to know when it’s time to fire someone
• The step-by-step process to prepare for a termination conversation
• What to say (and what not to say) during the meeting
• How to handle the aftermath and communicate with your team
• Why handling poor performance quickly protects your culture and top performers

Plus, I share a real story about a manager who was so nervous to fire someone that she took a Xanax beforehand—only to be shocked when the employee hugged me at the end of the conversation!

By the end of this episode, you’ll have a clear blueprint for navigating terminations in a way that’s fair, professional, and doesn’t make you lose sleep at night.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

[2:00] Why avoiding a necessary termination is actually a leadership failure

[5:45] The key questions to ask before making the decision to fire

[10:15] How to prepare legally and logistically before the conversation

[14:30] The exact words to use when delivering the news

[18:45] Handling different employee reactions and pushback

[22:00] How to communicate the termination to your team

[25:15] Why letting poor performers stay can drive away your best employees

Resources & Links:

Let’s connect on LinkedIn: Jackie Koch

More HR and leadership advice: PeoplePrinciples.co

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