Welcome back to the Love 'n Business Podcast! In Episode 48, we wrap up our CEO’s Playbook series with an essential guide on managing underperformance and navigating the difficult decision to fire an employee. This episode takes a deep dive into the key steps CEOs must take when addressing underachievement and how to handle the process with empathy, clarity, and professionalism.   In this episode, Mick and Britt discuss the critical role of setting clear expectations, identifying when a team member isn’t meeting those expectations, and creating a disciplined process for managing underperformance. You’ll learn why firing is never the first choice but, at times, necessary for both personal and business growth.   Key topics include: How to check in on role expectations and ensure alignment Identifying underachieving employees and understanding the root cause Why every business needs a clear disciplinary process (and how to establish one) The importance of Performance Improvement Plans (PIPs) and how to execute them effectively Handling the tough conversation: tips for the final meeting when you need to let someone go Why sometimes, outgrowing a teammate is part of business growth Mastering the firing process to ensure professionalism, fairness, and clarity   Firing someone is never easy, but this episode provides the tools and insights you need to handle these difficult situations with confidence. Whether you're a seasoned CEO or a leader looking to refine your process, these strategies will help you maintain a productive and healthy team dynamic.   Don’t forget to subscribe, like, and hit the notification bell to stay updated on future episodes of the Love 'n Business Podcast!   For inquiries, email us at lovenbusinesspodcast@gmail.com  OR DM us through the platforms below!   Love 'n Business Social Media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lovenbusinesspodcast/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/love-n-business-podcast/?viewAsMember=true Website: https://lovenbusinesspodcast.castos.com/   Check Us Out on Alternate Platforms… https://open.spotify.com/show/3Ds86I3NP806yiJXmkBoMd?si=d8f8640980c24fa4&nd=1&dlsi=e1a795950e3441f7 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/love-n-business-with-mick-and-britt/id1693371562?app=podcast   Interested in our Businesses? https://arnoldpackaging.com/ https://www.tegelercs.com/   NEW EPISODE'S EVERY OTHER WEDNESDAY!   Discussion Topics: (Time Ordered) Timecodes: 0:00 – Intro 2:15 – Checking In on Role Expectations 7:30 – WHO Identifies an Under Achieving Employee? 12:52 – HOW to Identify an Under-Achieving Employee?  17:45 – Establishing a Disciplinary Process (MUST HAVE) 23:55 – Why Firing Is NOT In Our Best Interest 26:21 – Outgrowing a Teammate (Growing Business) 32:30 – Performance Improvement Plan Best Practices 39:50 – The Final Meeting (You’re Fired!) 45:30 – Mastering Processes 48:00 – Britt’s Big Success (New Content Coming Soon)