braintank

Enterprise Account Executive

My SE is going to get fired - should I warn him?

He's a good guy, but struggling to keep pace and not performing. He frequently forgets to do critical follow up (I'm the only AE he supports) and is still struggling with the basics of demos 6 months in.

I caught wind from my boss that he's likely to get pushed out soon.

Would you say anything, or just let it be?

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36 comments

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CuriousFox

WR Officer

🦊

I'd mind my own on this one boo. You don't have all of the facts. And you really don't know how he'll react?

braintank

Politicker

Enterprise Account Executive

Agreed -- I'll continue to give him feedback on specific issues, but leave the bigger issues to him and his boss.

jefe

Arsonist

🍁

That's potentially very risky... while you work closely, it doesn't sound like you're that close. I'd protect yourself from any blowback and keep quiet, even though it'd be good to give him a heads up.

braintank

Politicker

Enterprise Account Executive

Agreed. I give him performance feedback when he asks, but don't want to put myself in a compromising position.

butwhy

Politicker

Solutions Engineer

Nope - he is failing basic responsibilities of the role after all the guidance from you and managers. SEs VERY rarely get canned, if this is happening, it is for the best and he could use the jolt, imo. This is not your circus or monkey anymore, and if it gets back to leadership that you let it slip to him ahead of time, your own reputation could be damaged.

braintank

Politicker

Enterprise Account Executive

Well said.

UrAssIsSaaS

Arsonist

SaaS Eater

No chance I get involved here. Whats the upside?

braintank

Politicker

Enterprise Account Executive

good point

Gasty

Notable Contributor

War Room Community Manager

No PIP?

braintank

Politicker

Enterprise Account Executive

Good question, not sure how you pip an SE...?

SaaSam

Politicker

Account Executive

Yeah let him know, how you let him know depends a lot on how much you can trust him to keep it to himself that you told him.

I got canned back in 2019 and a buddy of mine let me know the day before. Helps a lot in being able to plan how you're going to tackle the conversation when it comes. Plus I was able to make digital copies of a lot of shit that ultimately lead to me winning my wrongful termination suit.

braintank

Politicker

Enterprise Account Executive

Issue is, I don't know for sure.

I brought up that I needed a backup SE for an upcoming call becuase SE in question might be in over his head.

My boss said: "Agreed. He's not the guy."

I dug in more and my boss said: "it's out of our hands, but when SEs boss gets back from PTO next week they're going to talk".

SaaSam

Politicker

Account Executive

Oh man, that's rough. Now you don't know if he's going to be PIPed or canned so it's hard to give him a heads up.

Maybe just let him know that his performance has been questioned.

Not a fun position to be in though man.

Sunbunny31

Politicker

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

Tough one. Having "a talk" might not mean letting him go, but could be around additional training and/or a first (or final) warning about necessary improvement.

Does he take your direction well? You mentioned you've been working with him all along.

braintank

Politicker

Enterprise Account Executive

No, he doesn't. Honestly I'm rooting against him b/c he keeps dropping the ball on deals we're working.

Sunbunny31

Politicker

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

I've had SEs like that, and it's super hard to manage them + your own follow up. I get it. If he's not willing to listen and take direction that will improve him, then unfortunately, he's not a fit. All the more reason to not say anything.

UrAssIsSaaS

Arsonist

SaaS Eater

With this added context id be doing the opposite of letting him know hes getting fired. Id be giving his boss more reason to pull the trigger.

Im being somewhat tongue in cheek here but if hes holding you back, the business back, and not taking feedback to improve (the last part being the most important IMO) then you dont owe him a damn thing.

antiASKHOLE

Tycoon

Bravado's Resident Asshole

Keep to yourself. Chances are, they already have a feeling or know.

TheOverTaker

Politicker

Senior Account Executive

yeah im keepin it to myself, unless I am crazy tight with the person. You have no idea what may be going on below the surface, or if he will go nuts after you tell him

GDO

Politicker

BDM

Don’t. It only endangeres you and does not change a thing.

+ if he’s not performing that’s bad for you as well

TennisandSales

Politicker

Head Of Sales

damn thats rough.

I would let him know. BUT i would make sure he doesnt go to the boss and be like "i heard you are gunna fire me!"

you dont want your boss to think he cant trust you. but i would appreciate some heads up if it was me.

braintank

Politicker

Enterprise Account Executive

Yeah, I'll see if I can give him some clandestine hints.

Kosta_Konfucius

Politicker

Sales Rep

Its tough, but I would try to warn him

braintank

Politicker

Enterprise Account Executive

I've been trying to give him feedback on areas to improve all along to avoid the whole mess.

Pachacuti

Politicker

They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy

Likely does not equal definitely. Stay out of it.

cashmachine

Politicker

AE (Account Executive)

head down & keep it moving brother. too much unknown here & sounds like not a close enough relationship to justify.

sketchysales

Politicker

Sales Manager

Stay away, it will only come back on you negatively, both from him and his boss.

payton_pritchard

Executive

RSM

Not my business, what do you gain from telling him?

braintank

Politicker

Enterprise Account Executive

Probably nothing. Maybe give him a heads up to get his shit in order... but since I don't know 100% I don't think it's worth it.

nomdeguerre

Executive

Account executive

Continue to give him feedback on his work and potentially increase the level of urgency, but other than that stay out of it.

braintank

Politicker

Enterprise Account Executive

Update: He got fired

bandabanda

Tycoon

Senior AE Mid Market

Will be a turning point in his career for him if he wants it to be, could be a catalyst for change for him hopefully.

Did you get a new SE yet?

braintank

Politicker

Enterprise Account Executive

Went back to my prior SE.

Link

Executive

Regional Sales Rep

If management/hr said
“We will be letting this one go”
Then i would give them the heads up to maybe start looking elsewhere because the company is considering downsizing for x reason.
Alternatively, if their talk track was “we’re looking into jimbob’s performance”
Then just let it lie

SalesMama

Executive

Senior Account Executive

Absolutely not your responsibility to get involved.

Juancallclose

Catalyst

Director

shit I don't know.

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braintank

My SE is going to get fired - should I warn him?

36 comments

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