Fast Company Daily

When it’s time to let a star employee go

Oct 31, 2025
Explore the intriguing reasons behind Paramount's decision to let go of Taylor Sheridan amidst leadership changes. Dive into the complexities of creative control and the personal tensions between Sheridan and the new CEO. Understand how such departures can disrupt employee trust and shake up company culture. As competitors eagerly court Sheridan, the discussion raises questions about the risk of losing talent to rivals and the cost implications that come with these high-stakes decisions.
Ask episode
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
ANECDOTE

Star Creator Departs Paramount

  • Taylor Sheridan left Paramount after major hits like Yellowstone and Lioness made him a powerful producer.
  • He remains involved with Paramount projects until his deal ends in January before moving to Peacock.
INSIGHT

Restructuring Amplifies Uncertainty

  • Letting a high performer go during restructuring can heighten uncertainty for remaining staff.
  • Lack of clear communication about changes amplifies panic and erodes trust.
INSIGHT

Control And Budget Clashed

  • Creative control and budget limits triggered tensions between Sheridan and new leadership.
  • Key decisions made without Sheridan and the exit of an executive managing his projects escalated the split.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app