Last Friday was a pleasant day for me. I got news of an old First Approach “graduate” that had left his job for a new position. Now, this may sound like no big deal, but having gone through this same ordeal myself, I can assure you that it is. Let me explain.

The individual in question had been with the same company for over ten years. A talented and bright sales professional, his place in the organization secure, although less rewarding than he wanted. He was neither a top producer, nor a poor producer. He was average. Many people are satisfied with “average” and then some are not. This person was not.

With a strong work ethic, expertise, a sold grasp of his field, and despite a valiant effort over the past few years that included coaching and continued training, he just wasn’t able to break out of the “average” rut.

Many people would have moved on years ago. Many people would just switch jobs or career paths altogether. But then there are the others. People who have a love for their profession, a bond and commitment to their current employer. They like the culture, leadership, and they like the people they work with, it just isn’t going anywhere.

I too went through this difficult transformation years ago. I liked the company I worked for and it had been a great run. Unfortunately, the industry changed making my role, and ability to grow, impossible. I had a wonderful employer that never pressed the subject, but it was clear my career wasn’t working out.

After many months of sole searching and emotional struggle, I came up with the idea for my own business, First Approach.

In the case of the “graduate”, he too realized that his existing environment wasn’t producing the future he wanted. Through a careful, long term, and sober process, he re-assessed his goals and ambitions. From there, he made the change to an exciting new role with a different company.

There’s a lesson in this, both for employees and the employer.

The lesson is this. If as an employee you’ve tried everything, given it your best shot but your job just doesn’t satisfy you, move on. Yes, it may cause stress, maybe even feelings of failure or “not being any good”, but chances are you’re just in the wrong role. Change isn’t easy. Most people are likely to suffer the known than venture into the unknown. It is the unknown where opportunity usually knocks. Have confidence in yourself and make the change. Maybe you don’t get it right the first or second time but one thing is for sure, wasting away in an un-rewarding job will never lead you to one that is.

For the employer that has tried everything. You’ve coached and mentored the underperforming individual, you’ve been patient and supportive, but no matter what you’ve tried, it just isn’t working out. Now what?

Letting people go is never an easy thing. Few understand how stressful and painful it is for the person/persons having to deliver the bad news. It is the norm to delay and avoid making the decision.

There is however a different context, a context I use whenever I’m asked to weigh in on an employee’s future, and it is the context of kindness.

I do believe in making all efforts to help under performing employees to better perform, but I don’t conclude they have no future just because they may not be working out in their current position. I believe that avoiding the unpleasant decision to let someone go is selfish. Why, because the person charged with making that call is just avoiding their dis-comfort.

Once all efforts have been exhausted, keeping someone on doesn’t help anyone, least of all the underperforming employee. For employers, I strongly advocate moving people on because by doing so, you are putting them one step closer to finding rewarding employment.

Helping someone move on is actually an act of kindness, un-pleasant as it may be. If you’re procrastinating, stop, because you are keeping that person from discovering success.

If the above resonates, be you an employee or employer, take a moment to reflect on this. Is this you? Are you procrastinating or stalling? If you are, the only thing you’re really doing is getting in the way of yourself, or someone else.