"Getting fired" may conjure dramatic scenes of tears, shouting and phones being slammed down. But according to bestselling management author and CNBC contributor Suzy Welch, most real-life terminations look nothing like the ones on TV.

CNBC Contributor Suzy Welch

"There's rarely boardroom drama or a public display," Welch tells CNBC Make It. "And there's never tense music. Nope, in real life, being 'let go' tends to be a rather quiet affair. In fact, sometimes the warning signs are so subtle that many people don't even realize they're in imminent danger." But if you pay attention, and listen closely, you can often see the writing on the wall. If your manager uses one of the following three phrases, Welch warns you might be about to get fired.

1. "Could you put that in writing?"

Being asked to put something in writing could be a red flag that your boss is gathering all of the materials they need to justify firing you. "The minute a boss asks you to document anything," Welch says, "they are stuffing your folder to facilitate your termination process."

2. "I think we should bring HR into this."

If the presence of a human resources representative is ever requested to deal with a situation, Welch says you should be "very afraid" about your standing within the company. "The minute you have trained professionals in the middle of conversations with your boss or colleagues, think 'divorce attorney,'" she says. "Understand that HR is in the room to start the negotiation towards a 'conscious uncoupling.'"

3. "You're not a good fit."