If a client tells me they’re considering firing an employee — or even a customer — and they’re debating the pros and cons, I know the advice I’ll give immediately.

Do it.

Here’s the thing: Once you’ve considered firing the person, they’re doomed. Once you’re contemplating quitting, you’ll never love the job the same way again.

Perhaps you’ve experienced the thing where you give your two weeks’ notice at a job, and then those next two weeks are miserable. Whereas before you were sticking around so could handle the annoyances and challenges, now that you know you’re about to be free, the warts of your current, winding-down role get more and more apparent. And bothersome.

No client has ever told me they regretted firing someone. The refrain I hear, from firers and quitters alike, is almost universally: I should have done it sooner.

To be clear, there are real human lives at stake. I’m not saying you should make the decision to quit or fire callously, quickly, or without reflection. Rather, I’m saying that once you think you should do so, there is no benefit to delaying the inevitable.

A poisonous employee causes deep damage to your organization. A job that’s bad for you poisons you. When you know it’s time to make the change, make it.