When Keeping Underperformers Steals Lives

My mentor René Boer once told me something that changed how I think about leadership: When you keep an underperformer in a seat, you're essentially "stealing their life."

It sounds harsh. But here's what we see happen time and again in our sessions:

A leader knows someone doesn't GWC (Get it, Want it, and have the Capacity to do it) for their role. Yet they keep that person in the seat anyway.

Why Do Leaders Do This?

• Fear of conflict and difficult conversations

• The belief that having someone in the seat is better than having no one

• Worry that letting the person go means taking on their work themselves

Here's What They Don't Realize

By keeping the wrong person in place, you're not just being kind—you're actively causing damage.

You're losing credibility as a leader. Your team watches you tolerate poor performance and wonders if standards mean anything.

You're demoralizing your high performers. Nothing burns out great people faster than watching mediocrity get rewarded with job security.

And yes, you're stealing that underperformer's life. You're keeping them in a role where they can't succeed, blocking them from finding work that truly fits them.

The Uncomfortable Truth

When the wrong people stay, the right people leave.

The compassionate choice—for everyone—is honest action. That's what being a Great Boss looks like.