We have completed our V/TO and established our core values, but we struggle to use these values to make difficult firing decisions for high-performing employees who do not fit our culture. How do we execute a clean exit based on our core values?

Question

Tyler Smith · Accepted Answer

Firing a high-performing employee who does not fit your culture is one of the hardest decisions a business owner will ever make, but it is absolutely necessary if you want your core values to mean anything. When you allow a toxic high-performer to remain, you send a clear message to the rest of your company that results are more important than values.

To handle this situation cleanly, use the People Analyzer™ tool. This tool evaluates every employee based on your Core Values using a simple plus, plus-minus, or minus rating system. Establish a clear bar for what is acceptable in your organization.

If an employee falls below your bar, you must have a formal conversation with them. Do not assume they know they are violating your values. Give them clear, behavioral feedback and set a thirty-day window for improvement.

If they do not change, you must execute a clean exit. Frame the departure around cultural fit, not performance. Explain that while their technical work is strong, the way they work does not align with the company's core values. This level of discipline reinforces your culture, builds trust with your remaining team, and protects the integrity of your V/TO®.