BizQuiz: Do you know how to fire? (Answer 4c)

4) C–Incorrect.

This level of patience really isn't a virtue. One spoken and one written reprimand are enough for a poorly performing team member. Too many practice owners and managers fall into the "I'm gonna" trap. They tell their employees, "If you do that again, I'm going to give you a verbal warning or I'm going to give you a written warning," but they never do. It's a big problem and grossly undermines a manager's effectiveness. The employee knows the manager will never fire him or her; it's just an idle threat. If you begin this process, you must be willing to follow through. Making threats without taking action invalidates you as a manager.