How do you let go of a longtime executive without destroying the relationship?

With dignity, generosity, and the truth said plainly in a private conversation. Kris Kluver, in The Dysfunctional Family Office, captures the moment Robert Mitchell ends his twenty-year working relationship with Brett, his CFO. They meet at the Corner Bakery, the same booth they've used every Saturday for two decades. Brett knows why they're there. He says it himself. He's not the CFO Gail needs. He's a maintenance guy. Slow and steady was his strength. Gail needs someone who can scale at her speed. The conversation is short. Robert thanks Brett for everything. Brett tells Robert it wasn't bullshit when they built it and isn't bullshit now. They shake hands. They hug. The exchange works because both men have had the conversation with themselves before they had it with each other. Most longtime executive endings in family business go badly because nobody acknowledges what's already obvious. The right ending names it directly. Some partnerships end with fireworks. The best ones end with mutual respect.