Carly Fiorina wrote her memoir related to her business life with a particular focus on her days as CEO and Chairman of Hewlett-Packard. She entitled the memoir Tough Choices. As one would expect in such a high-charged corporate environment, many of the tough choices involve the hiring and firing of personnel.

Regardless of the environment, the hiring and firing of people are always tough choices. We would like to believe that in the realm of churches and ministry we never have to face those kinds of tough decisions. If we really believe that, we are lying to ourselves and to others. Major decisions affecting the lives of people and the function of ministry are always tough choices.

So how do we make the right decision when hiring someone or demonstrate genuine compassion when terminating the employment of another? In one brief article it would be impossible to cover all the appropriate topics. My solutionthen is a very limited listing of suggestions related to hiring and firing and an opportunity for some responsive and peer learning on the topics.

Hiring Suggestions

• Be patient when hiring. Getting to know a potential employee takes more than a 15 minute interview. Spend time (on different days) in a variety of settings (a meal, a meeting, etc.).
  
  
• Ask open-ended questions and then ask questions about their answers.
  
  
• Listen more than you speak.
  
  
• Be very specific on what you expect of the person and the desired results in their area of ministry.

Firing Suggestions

• Be honest with people; truth is the kindest form of management.
  
  
• Terminate only after attempting to retrain or refocus the person.
  
  
• Don’t surprise someone with termination – warnings help prepare – “To remain with us your work must improve in the following areas and in the following ways."
  
  

• Provide as much severance as affordable and appropriate - it takes time to find a new job.