---
title: 3605 Second Chances
description: "## The Demand Before you add another name to your mental hit list this week, you check whether that person ever received a real second chance with clear terms. If you write people off by default, you are running a…"
url: "https://kb.jeffreysummers.com/docs/3605-second-chances-2/"
updated: "2026-08-03"
category: People / People Fieldbook
---

# 3605 Second Chances

## The Demand

Before you add another name to your mental hit list this week, you check whether that person ever received a real second chance with clear terms. If you write people off by default, you are running a revolving door, and the culture signal costs you more than any single hire decision ever will.

## The Work

For every cast member currently on your hit list, do this before Friday.

1. Check whether a system failure, an uncommunicated standard, or a manager who gave up early contributed to where they are now.
2. If a genuine second chance has not been given, deliver one this week with explicit terms: what changes, by when, and what happens if it doesn't.
3. Treat the chance as a real investment, not a delay tactic. Set a specific check-in date.

This week, give at least one deliberate, clearly-scoped second chance instead of defaulting to the exit.