Getting Fired: Still A Possibility As A Leader, Or Are You Safe?

When I first became a leader in a workplace, I thought I would never have to worry about getting fired. The money and opportunity were good, but I was happier about job security. My happiness quickly dipped when I had a conversation with my mentor months later.

The company was not doing too well, and I had the privilege and burden of knowing. It was beyond our control; the market just wasn’t what it used to be. I feared I would get a significant pay cut, so I went to my mentor for advice on how to bear it when it finally happened.

He said, ‘When companies are not doing so well, the ones who earn the most are usually the first to go, managers, team leaders…’ This sentence stuck with me for a long time. I didn’t know why, but I had not considered that job security was something I should have been worried about.

Sure enough, when things got worse, I was the first one to go. I didn’t do anything wrong; I just happened to be in a management role and earning more than others.

And this can happen to any leader. We could be in the middle of a bad economic situation, and you, as the leader, could be packing your bags. Getting fired can happen to you!

So, how do you protect yourself? I hope to give you insight into exactly this below. But first, tough economic times are not the only reason leaders get fired.

Why Do Leaders Get Fired?

1. Failure to Meet Performance Goals

One of the main reasons for getting fired is failing to meet performance goals. Just like any other employee, leaders are responsible for setting and achieving targets that drive the company’s success.

If profits fall short, market share declines or projects go unfinished, it reflects poorly on you as a leader. When you cannot guide your team to meet deadlines or targets, the stakeholders will lose confidence in you.

If this is the only thing you are consistent at, then you’re in trouble! 

2. Loss of Trust and Confidence

When trust between a leader and their team or board is broken, it can be challenging to recover. Trust is already so hard to build in a workplace, so imagine when it breaks.

Sadly, the stakeholders could see the loss of trust as coming from poor decisions, a lack of transparency, or inconsistent communication. 

Leaders who can’t maintain the trust of their stakeholders might find themselves getting fired, as trust is very necessary for effective leadership.

3. Poor Ethical Standards

Ethics are a key part of strong leadership. If you are involved in unethical behaviors, such as dishonesty or misconduct, it damages the entire organization’s reputation.

If you are a leader who’s more than willing to get involved in fraudulent activities, harassment, or misuse of resources, then you risk getting fired.

Not only can these actions lead to legal issues, but they also set a really bad example for your team. 

4. Inability to Adapt to Change

The business world changes quickly, and leaders must keep up to remain effective. Leaders who are resistant to new technologies, market trends, or shifting customer needs may be seen as holding the company back.

So if you’re the guy who ‘doesn’t do’ whatever technology comes up, then you risk becoming irrelevant because competitors definitely ‘do’ it, and the bosses will find someone who will!

Imagine getting fired because you are not open-minded enough to keep up with today’s fast-paced environment—sad, right?

5. Micromanagement

Micromanagement kills team growth and often leads to low morale and high turnover. Leaders who always have to control every detail without empowering their teams create a toxic environment.

Leaders who micromanage make their team feel undervalued and frustrated. Micromanagement not only hurts productivity but can also cost you your role since getting fired due to poor management styles is common.

Understanding these potential pitfalls helps leaders stay aware of behaviors that could jeopardize their position. Building trust, adapting to change, maintaining ethical standards, and empowering the team are essential for a leader’s long-term success.

6. Incompatible Leadership Style

Leadership style can make or break a leader’s effectiveness in an organization. If a leader’s approach doesn’t align with the culture or values of the company, it can lead to friction and dissatisfaction within the team.

For example, a very authoritarian leader in a collaborative, open environment may create tension within the team. Similarly, a leader who avoids making firm decisions in a fast-paced environment may frustrate those who expect quick, decisive actions.

Leaders who cannot be flexible struggle to connect with their team and meet company needs. Sadly, this often leads to getting fired as stakeholders look for someone better suited to their goals and culture. 

How to Protect Yourself From Getting Fired

So, is there a way to keep yourself from getting fired? Unless you buy the company and keep yourself employed, probably not! 

The sad truth is that getting fired can happen unexpectedly, and you might not even get a reason for it. When they’ve decided, they’ve decided—that’s it! 

The one thing you should do is make sure that you do not give them a reason to fire you. Here’s how you do that:

Stay Aligned with Company Goals

You can avoid getting fired by keeping your work aligned with the company’s vision and goals. You are a leader, and there are probably a lot of interesting projects you would like to pursue now that you have the chance. But when you only focus on your ideas, you become disconnected from the company’s mission.

Maintain sight of it by regularly checking in with higher-ups to understand the priorities and adjust your strategies to support those. 

Build Strong Relationships

Relationships matter in the workplace, especially for leaders. Building a network of positive connections with colleagues, team members, and higher-ups helps create trust and support.

Leaders who communicate openly, help others, and maintain respect are often valued more. So even if you don’t want to, make sure you’re the leader who’s attending team events or offering mentorship to strengthen your connections.

And don’t underestimate the importance of having these relationships. When things get tough, they provide a support network that can reduce the risk of getting fired.

Show Consistent Performance

You don’t need to be told, but consistency is key to leadership. Leaders who always hit targets, deliver quality work, and stay reliable build a reputation for being dependable.

If your team consistently meets its goals, it reflects positively on your leadership. Avoiding peaks and valleys in your performance shows stability and prevents doubts about your abilities.

Great, consistent performance can really help reduce the likelihood of getting fired even when times are tough because people see you as invaluable to the company. 

Address Conflict Professionally

Conflicts happen, but it’s how you handle them that can determine whether you’re getting fired. Leaders who remain calm and work toward solutions build respect, while those who let conflicts escalate risk harming their reputation.

There are going to be days when you are overwhelmed and overstimulated. And on those days, conflict will really test you. The goal is to pass because leaders must remain calm and professional. You’re setting an example, so make sure it’s a good one!

Handling conflict professionally keeps the workplace positive and can protect your position by showing that you’re a steady, reliable leader.

Stay Accountable

Taking responsibility for mistakes shows maturity and professionalism. If you make a wrong call, admitting it and working to fix it reflects positively on you as a leader.

If a project under your leadership fails, owning the outcome and proposing improvements for the future builds trust.

Leaders who stay accountable are less likely to face getting fired because they show integrity and a commitment to learning.

Be The Leader They Can’t Replace

You can get fired, but that’s not your only reality. Sometimes, being an effective, well-communicating, accountable, high-performing, and connected leader can save you from a layoff sweep. Other times, it can’t, but it’s better not to give them a reason, right?

Getting fired can happen to anyone, even leaders. However, you could be the leader they cannot replace by showing up, performing, and setting an example of what true leadership is.

About Author
About Author

Waithira Njagi is a seasoned wellness and relationship content writer with nearly a decade of experience. Her passion for helping others navigate the complexities of personal growth and connection shines through in her engaging and insightful writing.
With a knack for distilling complex topics into easily digestible pieces, Waithira's work is geared toward readers seeking guidance and inspiration on their journey to holistic well-being.
When she's not crafting engaging articles, you can find Waithira curled up with a stack of romance novels– always rooting for love to win– or enjoying quality time with her beloved family. Her dedication to spreading love and positivity is evident in everything she creates.

Waithira is here to remind you that life, much like their stories, is a tapestry of connections - to loved ones, and the endless adventures found in books.

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