What makes the issue all the more controversial is that the government has yet to credibly explain why it took the unconventional and dramatic step of firing Bhagwat, 59, just nine months before he was due for retirement.

CNN: A STORM OVER SECURITY

Mr Rafsanjani, still a power-broker as head of two bodies that are meant to adjudicate between branches of government, took the unusual step of firing off a long, heated public letter to Mr Khamenei, declaring that unless the supreme leader acted to ensure a fair vote, trouble would ensue.

ECONOMIST: Iran's election

Therefore, the first step to properly firing an executive is figuring out why you hired the wrong person for your company.

FORBES: Preparing To Fire an Executive

It also says that the co-firing of biomass and fossil fuels is the most immediate step that utilities can take to cut their carbon dioxide emissions.

FORBES: Biomass Breathing New Life Into Coal Plants

"The new 'big bang' firing order that the Ducati engineers have been working on is definitely a step forward, " he said.

BBC: Nicky Nayden

After the firing, Mr. Loeb asked that the company's veteran board members step down from the company, which had been losing market share to rivals such as Google Inc. and Facebook Inc. for years.

WSJ: R��sum�� Trips Up New Yahoo Chief

Make sure that letting your employee go is the last step in a careful, thoughtful, fair, and transparent process that started long before the actual firing.

FORBES: If You Have To Fire An Employee -- Here's How To Do It Right