Graceful Goodbyes: The Art of Termination
Nobody really likes talking about termination. After all, as managers, we care about our teams, we build relationships with them, and sometimes we've known our employees for years, so how do we balance compassion and empathy with the accountability that comes with leading a healthy, successful practice? That's exactly what I unpack with Tori Monte, CVPM, of Orion Care Animal Center. Tori has been in veterinary medicine since 2015 and has been a practice manager since the opening of Orion Animal Care Center in 2019. She has experienced just about every challenge you can imagine, including having to make some incredibly difficult decisions about team members, and she has learned that while termination may be one of the hardest parts of management, it can also be one of the most important things we do for our teams and our hospital culture. Listen in as we talk openly about why managers sometimes hold on to problem employees longer than they should, from staffing shortages to the relationships we develop with our teams, and we discuss how to have those difficult conversations early and often, why starting with curiosity can change the way we approach conflict, and why thorough documentation matters when performance issues become a pattern. We also get into performance improvement plans - when they're actually useful, when they simply delay an inevitable termination, and how managers need to make sure they've done their own part by providing the training and support an employee needs to succeed. Then, of course, there's the part that nobody really prepares you for: the guilt, and Tori shares some practical advice for handling the emotions that come after letting someone go, supporting the rest of your team, and reminding yourself that caring about someone doesn't mean you can't hold them accountable. We're talking all about the art of termination and how to approach one of management's hardest responsibilities with grace, consistency, and a little more confidence, so if you have ever walked away from a termination wondering, "Did I make the right decision?" then this conversation is definitely for you, and you won't want to miss it! Show Notes: [0:35] - This episode is sponsored by Instinct Science. [2:12] - Tori points out that even though no one enjoys talking about termination, it is nonetheless incredibly important when it comes to the welfare of your practice. [2:58] - Hear how Tori learned practice management largely via experience, mentorship, and resources after unexpectedly stepping into leadership. [5:28] - Termination is difficult but necessary for maintaining a healthy team, and experienced managers can help newcomers prepare. [7:27] - Hear how VHMA, SHRM, fellow managers, and employment attorneys provide valuable resources for handling difficult termination situations. [10:40] - We talk about how terminated employees ultimately made that decision themselves via their repeated actions and behaviors. [13:49] - It can be a major struggle for managers when difficult employees underperform and create ongoing frustration for the rest of the team. [14:16] - Address performance issues privately and promptly, using curiosity, empathy, and documentation to help establish accountability! [17:12] - It's important for managers to hear all sides before making disciplinary or termination decisions. [20:09] - Tori and I talk about how performance improvement plans work best for actionable skills, not behaviors that are unlikely to change. [22:52] - You're not being mean by telling someone that they aren't the right fit for your practice. [24:27] - Practice managers need to provide adequate training, documentation, and follow-up before and after implementing a PIP. [26:53] - Effective training and PIP follow-up require practice managers to protect time for those responsibilities. [28:06] - Tori argues that, after terminating an employee, managers should communicate with affected colleagues and reinforce the decision's rationale. [31:20] - Managers should remain visible and supportive while ensuring employees aren't blindsided by termination. [33:38] - Tori encourages listeners that talking with trusted colleagues or therapists helps practice managers process the difficult emotions surrounding terminations. [35:09] - Terminations require grace, consistency, documentation, emotional boundaries, support, and self-compassion. Thank you for listening. Remember you are not in this alone. Visit our website for more resources. Links and Resources: VHMA Web Page VHMA Coronavirus Resources VHMA Facebook VHMA Twitter VHMA on Linkedin Victoria Monte on LinkedIn Orion Animal Care Center Web Page Orion Animal Care Center on LinkedIn Sponsor: Instinct Science