How do you know when someone needs more coaching versus when you've made a hiring mistake? Look for three signs: (1) They're missing one of Patrick Lencioni's core virtues (Humble, Hungry, or Smart) and it's not improving, (2) You're having the same coaching conversation on repeat with no change, and (3) Your high performers are asking pointed questions about this person. If it's a hiring mistake, handle the transition with dignity: be clear about the decision, own your part, focus on what's next, and communicate to your team only after the person has left.

Episode Description

How do you know if someone just needs more coaching, or if you made a hiring mistake? When should you stop giving them "more time" and acknowledge it's not a fit? And how do you handle the transition without creating legal liability?

Most leaders wait too long on bad hires because they don't want to give up on people. They keep coaching, keep hoping, keep giving "one more quarter" for things to turn around. But here's the truth: You can coach skills, but you can't coach culture fit, intrinsic motivation, or fundamental character traits.

In this episode, Colby breaks down the critical difference between performance issues (fixable) and hiring mistakes (not fixable). You'll learn Patrick Lencioni's Humble, Hungry, Smart framework for identifying when someone is missing a core virtue, why Kim Scott's "Ruinous Empathy" explains why we avoid these decisions, and Brené Brown's principle that "clear is kind" when it comes to transitions.

Plus, the exact four-step framework for handling the transition with dignity while protecting yourself legally.

Key Takeaways

• The difference between performance issues (what someone does) and hiring mistakes (who someone is)
• Patrick Lencioni's three virtues every team player needs: Humble, Hungry, and Smart
• The three signs it's a hiring mistake, not a performance issue
• Why "Ruinous Empathy" keeps us coaching too long on bad hires
• The four-step framework for transitioning someone out with dignity
• Critical legal consideration: Don't communicate to your team until after the person has left

Who This Episode Is For

Middle managers and executives who've been coaching someone for months with no improvement, who are wondering if they should keep trying or acknowledge it's not a fit, and who need a clear framework for making the call and handling the transition professionally.

Connect with Colby

• Website: nxtstepadvisors.com
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/colbymorris

Coming in April 2026: A second weekly episode featuring interviews with leaders sharing actionable tools they've learned throughout their careers. Plus, the YouTube version of The Things Leaders Do podcast!

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