Executive Leadership

By converting proven theories into practical advice, Executive Leadership helps aspiring leaders make sound decisions that raise productivity and fatten the bottom line; negotiate with vendors, competitors, employees and clients; innovate and inspire creativity in their teams; and delegate authority so that they can manage their time and achieve at a higher level. Learn more about Executive Leadership and the three free reports you’ll get when you subscribe...

It’s no picnic when you have to fire people for poor performance. Wayne Downing, a retired four-star general who ran the U.S. Army Special Forces, says you’ve got to do it.

Most of his bad calls were about people, Downing admits: “I knew I had to take people out of a position. I knew they weren’t going to change, and they weren’t going to do what had to be done. But it’s traumatic when you do that.”

His advice:

• Specify what needs to change.
• Provide plenty of help.
• Mobilize the social network to support your judgment.
• Make the process open and fair.
• Act based strictly on results.

— Adapted from Judgment, Noel M. Tichy and Warren Bennis, Portfolio.