Firing an employee is one of the hardest things a business owner has to do—especially the first time. In this episode of Build Your Business, Matt and Chris walk through how to fire someone the right way, from preparation to severance to post-exit communication with your team. Through stories, systems, and sample scripts, they’ll help you take the fear out of the process while maintaining your company culture and protecting everyone involved.
Why Firing Is So Uncomfortable—And So Necessary
Firing someone feels personal. It can bring up fear, shame, or guilt—and for many business owners, it’s the ultimate act of confrontation. Matt and Chris open up about their first experiences with firing, the emotional burden it carried, and what they wish they had done differently.
But they also highlight why learning how to fire someone well is essential for growth. Delaying this decision leads to hidden costs: team resentment, cultural drift, and decision paralysis. Firing, handled well, can actually strengthen your company.
How to Fire Someone Starts with Preparation
Most of the work happens before the meeting. Matt and Chris outline the critical prep steps:
- Documenting performance issues
- Using coaching conversations or formal improvement plans
- Aligning with leadership to ensure clear expectations
If you’ve done your job well, the conversation shouldn’t be a surprise. This section gives a tactical foundation for how to fire someone legally, ethically, and with dignity—before the meeting even happens.
Running the Meeting: Short, Clear, Final
The firing conversation itself must be handled with directness and respect. Matt and Chris walk through a simple format:
- Get to the point immediately
- Avoid debate or over-explaining
- Communicate next steps (pay, severance, exit logistics)
They emphasize maintaining composure, being ready for emotional reactions, and ensuring clarity above all else. If you’ve ever been afraid of saying the wrong thing, this section will ground you in what actually works.
What Comes Next: Aftercare and Team Health
Letting someone go doesn’t just affect them—it affects the whole team. Matt and Chris talk about what to do after the meeting:
- Clear severance terms that reduce legal risk
- Ensuring equipment return and offboarding
- Communicating with the team without gossip or drama
They also touch on maintaining morale and how leaders can re-establish psychological safety for the rest of the staff in the wake of a firing.
Growth Through Hard Conversations
Firing someone is one of the most intense leadership experiences you’ll face—but it can also be transformative. Matt and Chris close the episode by reflecting on how these hard conversations led to personal growth, better teams, and clearer boundaries.
They challenge listeners to reflect: Who are you tolerating that you need to let go? What’s the real cost of keeping someone who’s not a fit? Learning how to fire someone with professionalism is one of the clearest signs that you’re leading—not just managing.
