Dear Dave,

I own a small residential tree service company. Last year we made a little over $300,000 in revenue, and this year we’re on track to make around $750,000. We have five employees, and one of them is my brother. He’s the kind of guy who, when he’s on, is really good. But when he’s not, he can be antagonistic and hard to be around. Most of the time everyone just shakes it off, but I’m beginning to think his inconsistent attitude and behaviour are becoming detrimental to the culture I’m trying to create within the company. Can I get your thoughts on this?

– Mo

Mo,

It’s great your company is growing like that, man. Congratulations!

Now, are you ready? Because I’m going to hit you with a pretty stiff jab. Allowing someone you love to misbehave is not grace or mercy – it’s cowardice. Grace and mercy mean you love someone enough to approach them about their misbehaviour.

If I were in your shoes, I’d have a serious heart-to-heart talk with the guy. I’d tell him I love him and that he’ll always be my brother, but I can’t allow him to disrupt the company with how he’s acting. I’d give him the chance to address the behaviour and fix the problem, but if he cannot or will not do that, I would let him know he cannot be a part of the business any more.

A lot of people might say that’s mean or you should not treat family that way, but those folks would be wrong. If the other employees don’t like or respect him, he’s not dependable, and he’s causing other issues within the company, the job and the kind of work you do may not be for him.

If that’s the case, keep loving him and let him know you’ll help him any other way you can, but you won’t allow him to continue being a thorn in everyone’s side. I mean, he’s your brother. But right now, he’s also an employee and a co-worker.

Understand I’m not saying the guy’s a bad dude. He’s probably got a lot of good qualities inside. But he thinks he’s got a get-out-of jail-free card just because he’s your brother. And it’s time you revoked that card.

Walk with him in the process. Let him know he does not have to be perfect from here on out, but that you want to see clear signs he’s trying to change and improve some things about himself.

Because he’s not going to have his best life – no matter what he does or where he works – until he addresses these negative behaviours.

Good luck, Mo!

– Dave

• Dave Ramsey is an eight-times national bestselling author, personal finance expert and host of The Ramsey Show. He has appeared on Good Morning America, CBS This Morning, Today, Fox News, CNN, Fox Business and many more. Since 1992, Dave has helped people regain control of their money, build wealth, and enhance their lives. He also serves as CEO of Ramsey Solutions