Instead, by the time you’ve realized the employee is costing you, there’s something of a personal relationship, or, more hard-headed, you realize what it’s going to cost you in time and effort to hire someone new if you let the employee go.

So, you keep thinking the employee will turn the corner, hone her skills, gain experience, be more efficient. Most of the time, that doesn’t happen, but it can. So, you continue this losing relationship for your business.

The answer here is tough. You can’t let it go too long. Too many business people are too patient in this regard. Firing people isn’t pleasant and, if the employee is making an effort, you think she’ll turn the corner. You also seek to avoid the time consuming interview process, adds, and the like that go into hiring.

Simple concept, but cognitively dissonant.