What do you do when you realize you've selected the wrong person for a particular job? For a number of reasons, leaders tend to be slow to pull the plug on poor hiring decisions. Why?
1. Reluctance to admit, you as a leader, made a hiring mistake
2. Hoping you can turn the situation around in spite of evidence to the contrary.
3. Feeling you have no other option but this person.
4. Concern about the impact letting the person go will have on the organization.
So why make a change once you realize you have the wrong person?
1. The best predictor of future behavior is past behavior. While it's great to think things can change, the reality is that change is unlikely and you're in for more problems.
2. Keeping the wrong person sends a message to others that you'll accept poor performance.
3. Not dealing with obvious problems weakens you as a leader in the eyes of those you lead.
4. The problem employee is likely having a negative, but unseen, impact on others.
5. The stress and frustration you feel will only grow and increasingly impact your performance.
When you realize you've made a mistake, be bold and cut your losses.
