There is no shame in someone leaving. There is shame in having someone stay if they don't want to be there, you don't want them there, they are harming other people and they aren't actually doing there job.
From watching it happen, when someone stays longer than they should, the result is loud, angry, demoralizing, defocusing and includes significant finger pointing. Everyone comes out the loser, especially the person who should have left earlier.
If you have already had conversations to try to help them change directions but have not been successful, most likely they need to move on, so the only question is how they do it. Over the last few years I have tried multiple tactics and have resolved that being supportive and straight forward is by far the best one.
Proactively and positively help them move on and personally support them through the process:- Go out to coffee or lunch (talking in the office is ominous).
- "I see that you aren't having fun here any more. I would like to help you resolve this.
- "If the right thing is to move on, I want to support you. What do you think?"
- Listen to them fully and carefully.
- "I can use my network and the head hunters we know to help find you a new job that fits more what you want."
- Follow through with everything you said and immediately transfer their responsibilities to other people.
Simply telling them that you will support them in any decision they make and asking them if they would like to stay or if they would like you to help them find a new job.
NOTE: No one is too important to let go. No one - even if they are the architect and only person who understands a system. You can find a way to transfer the knowledge and fill the position and, after it is all done, you will feel much better and so will they. The more important they are, the faster this needs to be done. If you neglect this, you may be destroying your company's future.
