In this episode, Ulrike and her guest, Sally Jones, dive into the challenging and emotionally taxing experience of managing a massive layoff. Sally, had to oversee the reduction of her team from 36 to just 2 or 3 members. She shares her insights and tips on handling such a difficult situation professionally and effectively.
Key Insights and Tips:
1. Maintain Professionalism and Objectivity
Detach from personal emotions and focus on the task at hand. Understand and accept that the lay-off, although tough, was necessary and beneficial for the organization.
2. Adopt a Positive Mindset
View challenges as opportunities for growth and valuable experiences. Avoid falling into pessimism and take control of the situation.
3. Stay Open-Minded
Be flexible with the outcome, recognizing that the final result may differ from initial expectations.
4. Prepare for Team Questions
Anticipate questions from team members and contribute to the overall Q&A. Clarify your emotions and positions to provide informed answers.
5. Act Quickly to Manage Rumors
Address the situation promptly to prevent rumors from worsening the team's morale. Understand that people often imagine worse scenarios than reality!
6. Be Available for Your Team
After the official announcement, remain accessible for questions and support. Organize one-on-one meetings to offer both organizational and emotional support.
7. Acknowledge Survivor's Guilt
Recognize the emotional impact on those who remain after the lay-off. Address feelings of guilt and ensure continuous support for these team members.
Handling a significant layoff requires a balance of professionalism, empathy, and strategic communication. Sally's experience highlights the importance of staying objective, supporting your team, and managing the emotional aftermath of such a transition. Tune in to learn how to navigate these challenging situations effectively and listen to the full episode for more detailed insights and personal experiences shared by Sally.
Join us next time as we continue to explore strategies for effective leadership and personal growth. Remember, it's okay not to have all the answers. Embracing uncertainty is the first step towards authentic leadership.
If you want to improve your own skills in leading change or communicating more effectively, check out Ulrike’s online live courses for individuals here.
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Until next time, keep leading, keep learning, and making a difference!
About Sally Jones
Sally Jones, originally from the UK, now living in Switzerland, has 30 years finance experience, including the last 7 years as a C-suite executive. She has worked in practise, financial services and aviation services industries, public and privately owned companies.
Sally has experienced a number of transformation exercises in her career, M&A, Financing, reporting, audit and ESG.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sally-jones-1000a43/
About Ulrike Seminati
Ulrike is a globally operating coach, trainer, and consultant who brings a wealth of experience as a former C-level executive to her expertise in authentic leadership and impactful communication. By blending the latest self-development methodologies with her extensive practical experience in leading across all levels of hierarchy, she enables leaders to establish trust and lead change through effective communication. Ulrike's clients benefit from her pragmatic and user-friendly tools that enable them to make lasting improvements.
Connect with Ulrike!
Website: https://ulrikeseminati.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ulrikeseminati/
Email: contact@ulrikeseminati.com
