Firing to Move Forward | Ep 17

Summary:
Most leaders think they’re one hire away from a breakthrough—but what if you’re actually one fire away? In this powerful episode of The Shift Podcast, Evan and Matt dive into the most avoided (but necessary) leadership move: letting someone go. You’ll learn the difference between a training issue and a character problem, five red flags it’s time to fire, and a practical 4-step framework to make the process clearer and less emotional. This isn’t about being ruthless—it’s about leading with clarity, courage, and responsibility. If you’re holding onto someone who’s holding your team back, this episode will give you the insight—and permission—you need to act.

Chapters:
0:00 Introduction: One Fire Away from Growth
0:52 Why Firing Isn’t a Badge of Shame
3:59 Balancing Empathy and Responsibility
5:56 Is It a Character Issue or a Skills Issue?
7:00 How to Know When It’s Time to Let Someone Go
10:48 5 Red Flags That Signal It’s Time to Fire
14:45 “Would You Rehire Them Today?”
16:00 The Team Feels It Too
20:45 Don’t Let Mercy for One Create Misery for Many
21:57 A Clear 4-Step Process for Firing Well
26:39 The Cost of Avoiding the Hard Call
28:00 Final Thoughts & How We Can Help

Contact:
theshiftpodcast.co

Matt Ware:
https://themattware.com

Evan Weiland:
https://evanweiland.com


Recommended Books:
Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink & Leif Babin
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Extreme-Owners...

Leadership Pain by Sam Chand
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0718031598/...