How do I let go of someone who isn't right for the role?

You know this person is not right for the role, and you keep them anyway because the conversation feels impossible. That avoidance is human, but it is not kind, not really. It is kinder to you in the short term and unkind to nearly everyone in the longer one, including them. Think about who is carrying the cost. Your team picks up the slack and notices you will not act. And the person themselves stays stuck in a role that is wrong for them, denied the honest feedback that might let them find something that fits. Silence is not mercy. It is just delay. You do not have to make it brutal. Have one honest conversation, clear and kind, about the gap between the role and the fit. Say the true thing plainly. It is one of the hardest parts of leading, and it is also one of the most respectful. People deserve the truth about where they stand, even when it is hard to give.