After Layoffs: Your Most Crucial Leadership Move

Dear Spark Family,

I was on a call this week with a leader who just had to lay off 30% of his team. You could hear the worry (and a little bit of panic) in his voice as he asked me, “Jackie, what’s my next move?”

He was sitting at his desk, the conference room quieter than it used to be, with empty chairs that once held valued team members. The weight of it all felt so heavy, like he was carrying the world on his shoulders.

Witnessing the fear and uncertainty in this emotionally fragile and pivotal moment took me right back to so many situations where I have sat with exceptional leaders in this incredibly hard space.

Most high level leaders have been in a similar spot, whether during layoffs or another very disruptive change –unsure of the future, feeling the fear, the responsibility, and wondering if you’re making the right calls. But as I listened, I knew from experience the next steps he needed to take to get his team (and himself) back on track.

Layoffs aren’t just cold,
hard business decisions.

Leadership After Layoffs

Here’s the thing: layoffs aren’t just cold, hard business decisions. They’re emotional earthquakes shaking the foundation of your team. If you don’t handle it with care, those aftershocks can turn into disengagement and fear, freezing your team in place.

The secret? It’s not about damage control or pushing for productivity. It’s about rebuilding psychological safety– creating a space where your team feels valued, heard, and secure. Think of it like sheltering your people in the middle of a storm.

How do you do that? Be transparent about the situation. Listen, I mean really listen, to their concerns. Provide clear direction, offer support, and recognize the efforts of those who are still showing up, despite everything. Show them that this isn’t just about numbers – it’s about the people who make your organization what it is.

Trust me, your team isn’t just listening to what you say; they’re watching what you do. In times like these, your actions will speak louder than words.