[_hl_]

It is your responsibility to look after your team as a whole. Sometimes that means taking decisions that negatively affect a single individual.

Your team members want to work with other great people who can help them deliver success - after all, the feeling of success is one of the most rewarding things a job can give you.

I’ll also add that letting someone go (constructively) can be a net positive for them, if you can put them on a path for greater success in life elsewhere. Struggling to deliver for months or even years is also not a good use of their time.

It might feel harsh, and it’s definitely a very difficult conversation to have, but I think if you remember that your responsibility is towards the team as a whole it can help you emotionally accept and navigate the situation.