It seems that every time I log into LinkedIn, there is a new “Open to Work” banner on someone’s photo with a caption sharing that the person was recently laid off.
There is NO question the person who just got laid off is struggling the most, but what about the people left behind, their colleagues and leaders? Layoffs put leaders in an uncomfortable scenario where they must keep existing employees engaged, reallocate responsibilities, and somehow send the message that things will be “ok”. As a leader who was put in this situation several times, I can say that it’s no fun! So I thought I would provide some quick and easy tips for leaders who are in this situation right now and need some support:
Don’t Ignore What’s Happening
Layoffs don’t just affect those who are leaving—they significantly impact those who remain. The “survivors” often experience guilt, fear, and decreased morale. It’s important to recognize this and work to quickly restore trust and confidence among your remaining team members.
Acknowledge Their Emotions: Recognize that survivors may feel guilt for still having their jobs or anxiety about their own future (this is a BIG one). Show empathy and reinforce that the organization values their contributions.
Set a New Vision: Help employees understand how the company will move forward. Lay out a clear path for recovery, emphasizing growth, stability, and new opportunities. This helps shift the focus from loss to progress. Get support from YOUR leaders as you try to accomplish this.
Strengthen Communication: Regularly update your team on changes, check on them, address concerns in the moment if possible, and take every chance to reinforce stability, “we will be ok” this will help as you try to rebuild trust.
Lead with Confidence and Stability
During times of uncertainty, confidence and stability are two of the most important qualities a leader can demonstrate. Your team will be looking to you not just for direction but for reassurance. “Will we really be ok?”
Stay Visible: Be present and visible throughout the layoff process and beyond. Visibility signals accountability and approachability, reinforcing trust and confidence in you.
Adapt Your Leadership Style: Be flexible in your approach. While some team members may need more emotional support, others may need clear direction and structure to stay focused.
Focus on Culture of Resilience
Layoffs can be a defining moment for an organization’s culture. Use this challenging time as an opportunity to focus on resilience and adaptability within your team.
Encourage Adaptability: Create an environment that encourages innovation, problem-solving, and agility. Help your team embrace change as a part of growth.
Support Personal Growth: When possible, offer training, mentorship, and development opportunities to remaining employees. This shows a commitment to their professional growth and reinforces the value they bring to the organization. Don’t over think this, even a company with little resources can create a development program for it’s employees. Start small if needed.
Celebrate Wins: Even small victories matter. Celebrating successes—whether it’s hitting a milestone or completing a challenging project—helps to boost morale and remind the team of their capabilities. Just remember “a win is a WIN!”
Take Some Time for Yourself
Sometimes when layoffs happen we hit the ground running, focusing on the changes, our existing employees, etc. But the truth is, we are probably also trying to navigate our own fears and anxieties about “what this means”. “Will I be ok?”
Layoffs are scary regardless of who you are and it’s ok to be afraid and nervous, so give yourself time with those feelings (not too long) and then move forward.
The truth is that you may not know when/if the next round of layoffs may happen and you certainly can’t control whether or not you will be included but now is not the time to focus on that.
Now is your chance to step up and lead your team through this tough time with clarity, empathy, and confidence. With time, you can all come out on the other side stronger and more connected than ever!
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