This presentation addresses the complex legal and strategic issues that arise when a high-performing executive’s behavior disrupts the workplace, leaving CEOs and HR professionals facing a difficult dilemma: whether to retain a valuable yet toxic leader or navigate the risks of termination. For attorneys advising clients on employment matters, understanding this “too painful to keep, too valuable to fire” scenario is essential, as it involves legal, financial, and reputational considerations that impact both corporate stability and employee relations.
Many derailing executives foster toxic work environments, leading to employee turnover, customer dissatisfaction, and hostile work environment claims. These challenges can compromise productivity, trigger discrimination or harassment complaints, and expose the company to liability. However, given these executives’ high-value contributions—whether through revenue generation, specialized expertise, or other irreplaceable qualities—termination may not be a feasible option.
In this session, Dr. Heller, a seasoned CEO consultant specializing in executive derailment coaching, will discuss how attorneys can guide clients in assessing the legal risks and benefits of a third option: executive derailment coaching. This intervention targets the behavioral, personality, and situational issues that cause executives to derail, offering companies a path to retain these leaders while addressing their problematic behavior.
This program will provide attorneys with insights into presenting this option to clients as a viable alternative to immediate termination or retention, potentially reducing legal exposure while preserving valuable leadership talent.
