You built the team carefully, recruited with intention, trained with purpose, and watched individuals grow into something bigger together.
Now, circumstances have shifted. The role that made sense six months ago doesn’t fit today’s reality. The position that seemed essential is now redundant. The tough conversation you’ve been avoiding can’t wait any longer.
Here’s what most leaders miss: the decision isn’t tough once you see it.
When Preservation Demands Action
Keeping someone in a role that no longer serves the organization isn’t kindness—it’s cruelty disguised as compassion. You’re protecting your discomfort while the business slowly weakens around the edges.
The team knows. They see the misalignment. They watch resources flow to work that doesn’t move the needle. They question your judgment when you avoid the obvious.
Meanwhile, the person in the wrong seat often senses it, too. They feel the disconnect, struggle to add value, and wonder if they’ve lost their edge.
The Mathematics of Leadership
Every dollar spent on obsolete work is a dollar not invested in what’s vital. Every hour of management attention on the wrong priorities is time stolen from breakthrough opportunities.
This isn’t about being heartless. It’s about being clear on what the organization needs to thrive.
The leaders who build lasting value make these moves swiftly and thoughtfully. They explain the why, provide support for transition, and maintain dignity throughout.
But they don’t avoid the decision that everyone can see coming.
Your dedication isn’t measured by how long you keep people comfortable in roles that don’t matter. It’s measured by how well you position the organization and its people to succeed.
The right decision serves everyone better than the comfortable one.
