Quick Ideas 147 to 149 ideas more easily digestible. Think about breaking down what you plan to do into some format where you can phase it in and not overwhelm people. Epilogue There's a hidden benefit in selling the future, because it offers people a view that you've got a clear blueprint on where to go. The by-product is that they end up with hope, opti- mism, and inspiration for the future. How to Fire People and Have Them Say Thank You One of the most unpleasant tasks all managers must un- dertake from time to time is firing someone. Many a manager has walked the floor all night or has become extremely nause- ated at the very thought of having to confront and fire a worker. If you've experienced that kind of anxiety, then you have proven you are human. Good for you. When Stan joined a company that required a lot of interac- tion with customers in helping them diagnose and solve their problems, he immediately began to struggle with the issues in- volved. As the weeks went by, he tried and tried, but it was painfully obvious that Stan was not cut out for the job. As his supervisor began to counsel him, they got to the bottom of the issue: Stan was just not a people person, and he really didn't want to do the job he had been assigned. The supervisor, being very savvy, encouraged Stan to explore other employment and 149 197