Hey Babs,
I think you would be interested in something that happened to me recently.
My company merged with another and as suspected there were lay-offs at the management and executive level. While I didn’t like it, I felt that the change was being managed by HR and the CEO quite well. There was lots of communication, support, lead time, and fair pay-outs.
Despite warnings from my family and friends, especially my work friends, I asked for a meeting with HR without even knowing if I was going to be let go. I worked with a coach (thank you!) to bring a greater sense of self-awareness and relationship management to the meeting, prepared a portfolio of my work (never assume that they know what you are working on), and distanced myself from the negative energy and talk that was going on around me at work. The morning of the meeting I went for a walk, ate a good breakfast, put on my favourite work clothes, and arrived practicing my strong and relaxed posture (it works!!).
I had 15 minutes with the CEO (I was surprised to see him there) and a senior HR staff member.
I opened by acknowledging the importance of their time and stated that I was not there to plead for my job but was there to ask for their advice on my next career steps. They seemed a bit surprised but waved me on. I showed them what projects I was working on and how I saw my role on the projects. I explained my ambition, my leadership commitment, and thanked them for all that they had invested in my career as mentors (sort of mentors) and with the professional development opportunities provided by the firm (all my certificates and notices of completion were in my portfolio). The 15 minutes went by very quickly.
They thanked me for my work, my commitment, and wished me well with whatever might come next. No promises of future employment or an introduction to another firm.
I oddly felt great! I had proactively tackled my fear of being let go and the sky didn’t fall on me.
As the lay-off notices began arriving I felt both anxious and calm. I was putting out feelers to other firms and networking my ass off at social and professional functions.
Then I got the HR restructuring meeting invite. I went expecting the lay-off speech and that is what I got. I was also offered a temporary one-year contract with the firm at a higher-level position with more pay and an offer to put in a good word at another firm that is about to announce expansion. As I stood to go and offered my thanks, the CEO walked in to let me know that my “gumption, civility, and proven capabilities”, make me somebody they wish they could keep and if they can’t then they want to keep me as a good colleague wherever I go. He said, and I quote “after all, we need to keep you on our good side for when you come back and run the place”.
Nope, I did not get to keep my job and I am now in a slightly precarious employment situation, but I know that I’ve got this, whatever it is that I do next.
Thank you for the coaching friendship!
R. R.
Hey R.R.,
Thank you for this great letter that so well illustrates the agency we have even in challenging situations. You’ve got this and as you have shown, you never need to do it alone!
Babs
Image from Levi Meir Clancy on Unsplash
I am grateful for your letters and that so many honest and courageous people share their leadership stories with me to share with others. Unfortunately, it is not possible to share all of your letters in this newsletter. Please note that if you are experiencing a situation that is unsafe, if you are in crisis, or if you are struggling with trauma, that you deserve and need more than I am qualified to give. When it is right for you, please reach out to whoever you trust to get help, your workplace EAP, or a medical or counselling professional.