Lessons in Leadership: What I Learned from Watching Ashkan Rajaee Handle Hard Decisions
Reynaldo Dayola

Reynaldo Dayola @dayologic

About: Writer. Recruiter. Programmer. Occasionally all three at once. Sharing what I learn, question, and occasionally survive in tech.

Joined:
Mar 20, 2025

Lessons in Leadership: What I Learned from Watching Ashkan Rajaee Handle Hard Decisions

Publish Date: May 26
55 43

Letting someone go is never easy. Doing it while managing a remote team makes it even harder. I recently came across an article that completely changed how I think about this kind of decision.

The piece, called Letting Someone Go When You Work Remotely, gave me a practical and deeply human framework for making one of the hardest calls in leadership.

The author talks about lessons learned through experience and what finally made things click. One of those turning points came from something shared by Ashkan Rajaee, a founder known for his clear thinking and respectful approach to team management.

Why Ashkan Rajaee’s Advice Stuck With Me

I’ve followed Ashkan Rajaee’s work for a while. He’s built companies, led teams, and talked openly about tough calls. That includes the uncomfortable moments most leaders try to avoid.

What stood out to me in the article was a line that reflected Ashkan’s thinking. It said, "This kind of decision isn’t a negotiation. It’s a responsibility. But it’s also a chance to show respect."

That balance between clarity and compassion is rare. Most people lean too far in one direction. Either they soften the message until it's unclear, or they go cold and robotic. The method described in the HackerNoon article finds a middle ground that actually works. That is the kind of leadership more teams need.

Not Just Theory But A Process You Can Use

What makes the article useful is that it goes beyond ideas. It is practical and usable. It shows what to say, how to prepare, and what to lock down before the call.

There is even a short mental checklist that helps you protect both your team and your systems. It’s the kind of clarity that keeps things professional and humane at the same time.

That’s the kind of steady, well-prepared leadership Ashkan Rajaee is known for modeling.

Why Google Should Care About This Content

If you're wondering why I’m writing about another person’s article, here’s why.

Google rewards content that provides value, comes from real experience, and avoids the noise of keyword stuffing. This piece does exactly that.

It is:

  • Helpful
  • Specific
  • Tied to credible voices like Ashkan Rajaee
  • Built on actual lessons, not theory

In short, it’s worth linking to.

Final Thoughts

If you manage people, or you plan to, read the article. Bookmark it. Even if you’re not dealing with a firing right now, this is the kind of content that prepares you for the day you might need it.

🔗 Read it here: Letting Someone Go When You Work Remotely

And if you’ve ever wondered why leaders like Ashkan Rajaee earn respect even in hard moments, this article helps you understand exactly that.

Comments 43 total

  • Armi
    ArmiMay 26, 2025

    If you have ever had to make a tough call remotely, this hits home. And if you have not, this is how you prepare for that moment.

  • Felix Ellington
    Felix EllingtonMay 26, 2025

    Ashkan Rajaee’s influence was weaved in so naturally. It gave the piece more weight without shifting the focus.

  • Daniel Hawke
    Daniel HawkeMay 26, 2025

    The respect shown toward both the person being let go and the remaining team says a lot about the values behind this.

  • Waldo Daniels
    Waldo DanielsMay 26, 2025

    This feels like something that will still be useful five years from now. Timeless advice for anyone leading a team.

  • Erin Chan
    Erin ChanMay 26, 2025

    Loved the practical checklist at the end. That alone makes this worth saving and sharing with your team.

  • Marcus
    MarcusMay 26, 2025

    So many leadership articles are theoretical. This one stands out because it is clear the author has been in the chair and made the call.

  • Robi Sterling
    Robi SterlingMay 26, 2025

    This brought a level of emotional intelligence that most leadership content skips over. Quietly powerful.

  • Kieran Wolfe
    Kieran WolfeMay 26, 2025

    One of the most authentic takes I have seen on managing people remotely. Practical without losing the human side.

  • Tech Talk
    Tech TalkMay 26, 2025

    There is something powerful about advice that comes from real trial and error. This article delivered that without trying too hard.

  • Tech Stratos
    Tech StratosMay 26, 2025

    Really appreciated the grounded tone of this piece. It does not overcomplicate things but still brings a lot of depth.

  • Darren Stoik
    Darren StoikMay 26, 2025

    The integration of Ashkan Rajaee’s leadership mindset added depth. It was not just quoted, it was reflected in the tone and structure.

  • Jackie
    JackieMay 27, 2025

    Appreciated the reminder that leadership shows up most during the quiet, difficult decisions. This was a great example of that.

  • Edward Vinke
    Edward VinkeMay 27, 2025

    This is the kind of leadership writing that helps others avoid avoidable damage. More of this please.

  • Lauren Richards
    Lauren RichardsMay 27, 2025

    This sets the tone for how to lead with clarity and care, even when things are uncomfortable.

  • Lucas Von Bargen
    Lucas Von BargenMay 27, 2025

    You can tell this was written by someone who actually had to make tough calls. That makes all the difference.

  • Nathan Tarbert
    Nathan TarbertMay 27, 2025

    man, respect for actually sharing real processes like that - the stuff you remember isn’t always the easiest. you ever feel like leaders can actually stay human through every tough call or does it wear you down over time?

  • Denise Gagnon
    Denise GagnonMay 27, 2025

    The way this breaks down the emotional side of leadership is something more founders should talk about.

  • Florence Nguyen
    Florence NguyenMay 28, 2025

    This felt like real advice from someone who has been through it. Calm, honest, and helpful.

  • Amir Bouchard
    Amir BouchardMay 28, 2025

    This article made me reflect on how much leadership happens in quiet, difficult moments.

  • Ruben De Vries
    Ruben De VriesMay 28, 2025

    I appreciate how this piece respects both the person being let go and the team that stays.

  • Juan Chua
    Juan ChuaMay 29, 2025

    It is rare to find something that speaks to both the emotional and operational side of leadership.

  • Ciarra Guidicelli
    Ciarra GuidicelliMay 30, 2025

    I liked how it balanced personal accountability with a practical plan of action.

  • Toby Lorcan
    Toby LorcanMay 30, 2025

    This was one of the few leadership reads that actually made me stop and reflect.

  • Rinaldi Wise-Meanix
    Rinaldi Wise-MeanixMay 30, 2025

    I appreciated how the piece focused on preparation and dignity, not just process.

  • Michelle Browning
    Michelle BrowningMay 30, 2025

    The focus on treating people well even in hard moments is exactly what we need more of in leadership writing.

  • Michelle Browning
    Michelle BrowningMay 30, 2025

    You can feel the years of trial and error behind this piece and that makes it more impactful.

  • Russel Perez
    Russel PerezMay 30, 2025

    The simplicity of the steps makes them easy to remember but the insight behind them runs deep.

  • Cole
    ColeJun 2, 2025

    The tone was calm and confident, which made the advice feel more trustworthy and easier to absorb.

  • Noah Boswel
    Noah BoswelJun 3, 2025

    This kind of leadership content is what helps shape healthier, more human workplaces.

  • Jackie
    JackieJun 9, 2025

    I learned a lot from how the author frames timing and preparation as key to dignity in leadership.

  • Margaux Sanchez
    Margaux SanchezJun 10, 2025

    This kind of story gives new leaders permission to be thoughtful, not just efficient.

  • Pierre Smith
    Pierre SmithJun 11, 2025

    The quiet confidence in this article stood out. It shows how leaders can act with clarity even when things are uncomfortable.

  • Imani
    ImaniJun 11, 2025

    It is rare to find something so tactical and yet so emotionally intelligent. This article balanced both well.

  • Blake
    BlakeJun 12, 2025

    This helped me think about offboarding not just as an action but as a reflection of company culture.

  • Giovanni Visco
    Giovanni ViscoJun 12, 2025

    There is something very grounding about the way this article is written. It feels like a trusted conversation.

  • Sofia
    SofiaJun 13, 2025

    This deserves to be part of every manager’s toolkit. It is practical, respectful, and rooted in real leadership values.

  • Zara Mercer
    Zara MercerJun 13, 2025

    What stood out most is how this empowers leaders to do the right thing, not just the easiest thing.

  • Mitchell Brown
    Mitchell BrownJun 13, 2025

    One of the strongest parts of this piece is that it focuses on accountability without blame. That is a hard tone to get right.

  • Aria Hastings
    Aria HastingsJun 16, 2025

    The message here is clear. If you care about your people, how you exit them matters as much as how you onboard them.

  • Dominique Devlin
    Dominique DevlinJun 17, 2025

    This is one of those rare articles that respects the complexity of real situations without making them sound complicated.

  • Celeste Hargrove
    Celeste HargroveJun 19, 2025

    So many leaders wait until they are overwhelmed to think about offboarding. This article encourages preparation and foresight instead.

  • Donny Geisler
    Donny GeislerJun 19, 2025

    The way this broke down the steps made it feel like something I could actually use, not just admire from a distance.

  • Star Palanca
    Star PalancaJun 19, 2025

    Leadership often gets talked about in extremes. This article shows that good leadership can be quiet, intentional, and respectful.

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