Every CEO struggles with this one, at least every CEO I’ve worked with. Every CEO suffers from loss aversion just like you and me. And, the more personal the loss the more we suffer. So, it only makes sense that everyone holds onto a problem performer or a poor performer longer than what the numbers and metrics say they should. CEO’s are human after all and struggle separating the personal from the performance. This is as it should be. And, this is the problem.
CEO’s, business owners, and leaders in general wait too long when making decisions. Decisions feel like a loss just like finishing something does. So, normal leaders hesitate. Normal leaders wait. The family member or friend continues to cause problems, everybody else sees this with 20/20 clarity – the leader rationalizes away. Trust erodes all around.
Every CEO will, someday, have to fire a friend or fire a problemchild that performs. Depending on the CEO, one will be harder than another. Which would be harder for you? Why are you carrying a friend or family member? Why are you looking past the problem child’s problematic behaviors?
Tell me more, my friend. Tell me more…
BUILT TO LEAD 