Show that you exhausted support and improvement options first. Then describe how you handled the conversation with dignity and managed the team afterwards.
Look for: exhausting improvement paths first, clear documentation, treating the person with dignity, managing team morale afterwards, and honest reflection on what could have been done differently (earlier intervention, better hiring). Best candidates acknowledge the emotional weight while maintaining professional clarity.
One of the hardest leadership moments. Candidates who have never fired anyone may not be ready for senior leadership. Those who describe it without empathy raise red flags. Look for: process, humanity, and learning.