We have an employee who scores one hundred percent on our core values but fails the GWC for their current operations seat, and we have no other open seats on our Accountability Chart. Do we have to let them go?

Question

Tyler Smith · Accepted Answer

This is one of the toughest decisions an owner has to make. You have a right person who is a perfect core values fit, but they are in the wrong seat because they lack the GWC™ for their operations role. If you have no other open seats on your current Accountability Chart that match their skills, you cannot keep them in their current position. Doing so hurts your team, slows your execution, and sends a message that performance does not matter. First, look at your three-year Accountability Chart to see if any upcoming seats match their capabilities. If there is a seat that will open up in the next few months, and you can afford to bridge the gap, you might transition them temporarily. However, if there are no viable seats now or in the near future, you must make the hard decision to let them go. Keeping a right person in the wrong seat out of loyalty is a disservice to both the company and the individual. They are likely feeling the stress of underperforming, and keeping them there prevents them from finding a role where they can truly shine. Exit them with generosity and respect, protecting your culture while maintaining your high standards of accountability.