This is the love element of tough love. The most effective managers do genuinely care about each of their people. But they imbue care with a distinct meaning. In their minds, to care means to set the person up for success. They truly want each person to find roles where he has a chance to excel, and they know that this is possible only in roles that play to his talents. By this definition, if the person is struggling, it is actively uncaring to allow him to keep playing a part that doesn’t fit. By this definition, firing the person is a caring act. This definition explains not only why great
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