Layoffs are Not Just About Losing a Job
There is a lot of noise about layoffs and restructuring right now. The headlines focus on numbers and industries, but they miss the human experience in the middle of it.
For a high achieving professional, a role is rarely just “what you do.” It is often how you define yourself. When that role is removed, the reaction is not just strategic; it is deeply personal. The instinct is to move fast: update the CV, apply broadly, and say yes to the first thing that looks like a safety net.
This feels productive, but it often creates more frustration. Action without clarity is just noise.
Using the Gap as a Launchpad
Before you rush into your next move, you must understand the landscape you are leaving behind. If you do not pause to reflect, you are likely to end up in the exact same situation six months later. Ask yourself:
What are you actually walking away from? Look at the environment, the expectations, and the stress patterns you have lived in.
What do you refuse to repeat? This is the most overlooked question in career transitions.
What do you actually want next? Not just what is available, but what is aligned with who you are now.
Losing a role is difficult, but it is also one of the few moments where you have total permission to reset your direction. If you allow yourself the space to think before you move, you gain the power to design a career that actually fits your life.
Do not rush the transition. My September Retreat in Scotland is the perfect “Space In Between” to recalibrate before your next big chapter. Book a call to explore the final 5 spots.
Layoffs are Not Just About Losing a Job
Keep it professional and brief. Focus on the restructuring of the business, not your performance.
Should I take a break or start applying immediately?
A short strategic pause almost always leads to a better long term result.
How do I handle the hit to my confidence?
Remind yourself that your capability is separate from your current employment status.
