Perhaps the most difficult part of any manager’s job is telling a subordinate that he can no longer stay with the company — that he’s been “fired,” “let go,” “dismissed,” or otherwise taken off the payroll. It’s a gut-wrenching conversation, knowing how this simple act affects a person’s career, self-esteem, and livelihood. Firing an employee also affects everyone else on your team. Not only does it change work assignments, but it also makes people wonder about your judgment as a manager and their own job security.