Today I want to share with you a transformational experience in the world of leadership.
I remember a difficult time in my experience when one of the employees generated constant conflicts and a general tension in the team. I tried various methods to solve the situation, but without tangible results. At one point, I tried something new, a technique I later called the “We no longer Fit Technique.”
This approach not only solved the problem, but also taught me a valuable lesson in leadership. Traditionally, I would try to resolve conflicts through dialogue, compromise, conflict resolution techniques, mediate these conflicts one by one, make actionable improvement plans, and always try to find common solutions. However, in this case, these methods failed miserably.
Thus, I chose to try a more direct and honest approach. I sat down with the employee in question and shared with him, openly and honestly, that I felt we were no longer a good fit within the company. I explained how the current dynamic was negatively affecting the performance of the entire team and that a change was necessary for the good of all.
This frank and open discussion had a significant impact. Instead of continuing to torment each other, we reached a consensus and agreed that each of us would go our own way. This moment of clarity brought peace to the team and allowed me to focus on the employees who truly brought value and positive energy. Over time, because we kept in touch on LinkedIn, he found a role that was much more dynamic and more suited to him, thus, in record time, both parties found the right way to move forward.
The lesson I learned from this experience is that it is often more effective to be honest and admit when a collaboration is no longer working. “We don’t fit anymore” is not just an expression, but also a powerful leadership tool that can bring clarity and harmony to the team. So, if you find yourself in a similar situation, don’t forget to try new approaches and be open to change. It’s amazing how a fresh perspective can transform not only how we handle conflict, but also the quality of our entire leadership work.
If you find that it inspired you, drop me a line and let’s discuss how we can transform your business.