Dear SaaStr: What Are Signs It’s Finally Time to Move on From An Employee?
A detailed breakdown of the signs … it’s time to break-up:
1. Unable to Hit Deadlines
Mediocre hires consistently miss deadlines without giving proper notice or updates. This isn’t about the occasional slip-up, it’s about a pattern of failing to deliver on time.
2. Get Angry When They Fall Behind
Instead of taking responsibility and quietly stepping up to fix the issue, they react emotionally or defensively when they’re behind schedule.
3. Refuse to Own a Quantitative KPI or Goal
Mediocre employees shy away from being accountable for measurable outcomes. They avoid owning a number or a clear deliverable.
4. Don’t Raise Their Hand When They Need Help
They often hide their struggles, sometimes even from themselves, instead of seeking assistance when it’s needed.
5. Always Very Busy
They appear perpetually swamped but rarely take on extra tasks to help the team. The best employees, in contrast, find ways to contribute more.
6. Argue with Bosses and Leaders in Public
While disagreements are natural, mediocre hires argue publicly instead of understanding that someone has to make tough calls.
7. Push Back on Fixing Mistakes
When asked to correct something, they resist instead of simply agreeing and fixing the issue.
8. Avoid Core Parts of Their Job
They push back on doing essential aspects of their role, often leaving others to pick up the slack.
9. Hire Mediocre People Under Them
This is particularly damaging. Mediocre managers tend to hire people who are just “good enough,” perpetuating mediocrity.
10. Blame Others
They rarely take responsibility for failures and instead point fingers at teammates or external factors.
11. Gossip Excessively
While some gossip is inevitable, mediocre employees often spend too much time on toxic office chatter, which can harm team morale.
12. Claim Credit for Others’ Work
Instead of highlighting the contributions of their team, they obscure who actually did the work and take credit themselves.
13. Threatened by Great Hires
They feel insecure when talented new hires join the team, especially if there’s overlap in roles or responsibilities.
14. Require Excessive Management
If an employee needs more than two hours of management per week, they’re likely not a fit. Great employees are self-sufficient.
15. Lie
Mediocre hires lie about their progress, achievements, or deadlines. This behavior erodes trust and creates long-term issues.
The core takeaway? Mediocrity is contagious. Once you allow it into your organization, it lowers the bar for everyone.
When you spot these behaviors, it’s better to act quickly and decisively. Waiting only compounds the damage.
If you’re hiring, always look for red flags during the interview process. Issues you notice early on will only be amplified once the person is in the role. Hiring great people is hard, but settling for mediocrity is far worse.
