Employees
I Hired Someone but They Aren't Working Out
Diagnose before deciding — the employee may not be the only cause.
The Challenge
Diagnose before deciding — the employee may not be the only cause.
Why This Happens
- Wrong hire
- Poor onboarding
- Unclear expectations
- Lack of training
- Poor supervision
- Wrong role
- Accountability problem
Questions to Ask Yourself
- 1.Did they receive real onboarding?
- 2.Are expectations written?
- 3.Were they trained?
- 4.Are they in the right role?
- 5.Have you had an honest conversation?
What to Do First
Write the expectations they're missing.
Have a respectful conversation.
Set a 30-day improvement plan.
Step-by-Step Solution
- 1
Diagnose the cause.
- 2
Clarify expectations.
- 3
Provide training.
- 4
Set a 30-day improvement plan.
- 5
Follow up weekly.
- 6
Decide fairly.
Three Levels of Solutions
Quick Win
Do this today
Write the three expectations not being met.
Build the System
Next 30 days
Run a 30-day improvement process before assuming the employee is the only cause.
Long-Term Transformation
Where you're headed
A fair, respectful process that develops people or ends well.
Lessons From the Pass It On Library
From The Servant
Correct people respectfully and consistently.
Framework: Leadership Self-Check
From Principles
Is this a people, training, or system problem?
Framework: Mistake → Lesson → Principle → System
Pass It On Action
Have one honest, respectful conversation.
Your Action Plans
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7-Day Action Plan
- Day 1 — Identify the problem: write down exactly how “I Hired Someone but They Aren't Working Out” shows up in your business.
- Day 2 — Review the numbers: gather the facts, figures, and examples connected to this challenge.
- Day 3 — Find the root cause: answer “Did they receive real onboarding?”
- Day 4 — Choose one change: Write the expectations they're missing.
- Day 5 — Assign responsibility: name ONE owner, a deadline, and the expected result.
- Day 6 — Implement: Have a respectful conversation.
- Day 7 — Review what happened: what worked, what didn’t, and what you’ll do next week.
30-Day Action Plan
Week 1 — Diagnose
- Answer: Did they receive real onboarding?
- Answer: Are expectations written?
- Answer: Were they trained?
- Complete the 7-Day Action Plan.
Week 2 — Build
- Run a 30-day improvement process before assuming the employee is the only cause.
- Diagnose the cause.
- Clarify expectations.
- Provide training.
Week 3 — Implement
- Set a 30-day improvement plan.
- Follow up weekly.
- Decide fairly.
- Train the people involved and assign owners.
Week 4 — Measure & Improve
- Compare results to where you started.
- Write one lesson learned.
- Adjust the process.
- Share what you learned with someone in the fellowship.
Biblical Principles
Wisdom for the journey — encouraging stewardship, integrity, and service, never a promise of guaranteed success.
#39 · Integrity
Practice fairness
Proverbs 16:11
#54 · Employees
Treat employees with dignity
Colossians 4:1
#57 · Employees
Treat people impartially
James 2:1–4
Related Challenges
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Challenge → Diagnose → Prioritize → Learn → Take Action → Measure → Improve → Help Someone Else
Learn it. Apply it. Pass it on.