> Markdown version of [/events/world-congress-2025/sessions/821-the-art-of-firm](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/events/world-congress-2025/sessions/821-the-art-of-firm). Every page supports `.md` or `Accept: text/markdown`. Links point to the HTML versions so they work for humans too. Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md).

---

# The Art of Firm Kindness: Managing Underperformers


- **Date:** Friday, Jul 11, 2025
- **Time:** 12:20–12:50 (30 min)
- **Room:** Airstream 1
- **Event:** World Congress 2025
- **Tags:** culture, leadership, team building

## Description

Have you ever underperformed at work? Okay, okay, this question is probably too personal, I'll ask differently. Have you ever seen someone at work that you wish performed better at what they do? What do you think their boss should have done about it?

Different leaders approach such situations differently. But one remains always: it is never easy because it's always nuanced and delicate.

Let's talk about why it's so challenging and why it can be so ambiguous. I will share some advice on how to make it less hard and describe a practical framework of dealing with such situations in ways that are responsible, equitable, empathetic, and kind. The way we want our leaders to be.

## Speaker

### [Anton Kazakov](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/@anton-kazakov)

Director of Engineering at casavi


## Related talks at this congress

- [Building Your Leadership Muscle: How You Show Up Impacts Culture](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/events/world-congress-2025/sessions/614-building-your) — Meghan Hennessy
- [Your Manager Doesn’t Come with a User Manual (But You Can Totally Write One)](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/events/world-congress-2025/sessions/822-your-manager-doesn-t) — Natalie Hylton
- [Did you actually listen?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/events/world-congress-2025/sessions/459-did-you-actually) — Lena Rossmann
- [How to Build a Sustainable High Performance Culture](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/events/world-congress-2025/sessions/547-how-to-build-a) — Bianca Errigo