Change is hard enough to make happen even when everyone is cooperative. One of the reasons you may need to terminate a difficult person is that change throughout an organization requires as many supporters as possible. In fact, according to John P. Kotter, it takes the cooperation of 15 to 25 percent of employees to produce significant results. But often difficult people are like big rocks blocking the path to change. They can undermine your ability to win the hearts and minds of the 15 to 25 percent of employees you'll need to charge up the hill. If difficult people are indeed getting in the way of much needed change in your organization, consider termination.
SOURCE: Leading Change by John P. Kotter (Harvard Business School Press, 1996).