Hi SergiiS
A while back I had the same discussion with someone I know, this was my email reply to him which adds to your question (hope it helps):
Perhaps you need to tell someone that their services are no longer required or perhaps you have done something for which you need to apologise.
I would like to offer you a couple of points to consider as you get ready for a difficult conversation.
1. Remember that you are dealing with a person who has dreams, hopes and aspirations similar to all of us.
When you have to deliver bad news, make sure that you frame it sensitively. There is much merit in the saying ‘let them down easy’. It is important for people to maintain their dignity and there is no reason to build resentment & resistance within your counterpart.
For instance, let’s say you have had a poor performing employee who you have decided to let go.
1 way of delivering the news could be:
‘Jack, after carefully reviewing your track record and taking into account our previous discussions about your poor performance, I have reached a decision to discontinue your services. Unfortunately my decision is final and I would like you to hand over any outstanding items and depart with immediate effect.’
Another way of delivering the news could be:
‘Jack, it saddens me to inform you that I have decided to discontinue your services. I reached this decision because it is important that there is a 100% fit between our requirements and your ability to deliver and feel strongly that your skills will be more valued in a different kind of role rather than this one.
If you feel that you really wanted to continue in this type of role then I would like to recommend that you pay attention to [list areas] and perhaps invest in further development in this regard. Thank you for having made the effort to meet my/our requirements and all the best for your future endeavours.‘
In the 2nd example you are at least recognising the fact that an effort was made on the part of the employee and that you are willing to help them refine their approach so that they can be more effective in future.
2. Acknowledge your weaknesses.
If you have done something for which you need to apologise, do not shift the blame! Accept full responsibility. We have much more respect for those who own up to their mistakes than those who dodge responsibility. Follow up your admission of guilt by asking the question how you can remedy the situation.
You will be surprised that you often have an opportunity to strengthen a relationship by owning up to your mistake and asking the question about how you can put things straight. Very few people have the expectation that everything must be perfect at all times. After all, we are all human and it is inevitable that you or anyone else for that matter will be making mistakes from time to time.
If you ask what it is that you can do to remedy the situation you will be surprised to learn that in most cases people will be more than happy with the fact that you apologised and will not demand anything additional aside from an assurance that the mistake will not be repeated.
Remember to treat people with dignity and compassion. Even those folks who appear to be hard as nails often act this way as a defence against getting hurt. Remember that the people who are regarded as legendary humanitarians such as Mahatma Ghandi and Nelson Mandela built their reputations on treating others as their equals.
It was said that Nelson Mandela even made his own bed when he was staying in hotels during the period that he was the President of South Africa. He did this in the belief that if he could make the job of the cleaning staff a little easier and their day a little brighter in addition to the fact that he had become accustomed to make his own bed whilst in jail for 27 years, why shouldn’t he?
It is not always easy to treat others with respect and dignity but it is certainly an objective worth pursuing….
Business Negotiation Solutions