How Do I Preserve Motivation After Surviving Layoffs? | Coaching Real Leaders
Harvard Business ReviewSummary
Marketers are increasingly voicing concerns about "bull spend," a term used to describe advertising expenditures that look good on paper but fail to deliver real results, particularly when scrutinized by financial executives. This discussion emerges amid a broader conversation about the effectiveness of marketing strategies, especially in challenging economic climates where companies are facing significant layoffs and budget cuts.
In a recent coaching session, a leader named Melissa reflects on her experience navigating the aftermath of layoffs at her tech company. Despite finding a role that aligns with her personal mission and passion, she grapples with feelings of insecurity and uncertainty as the stability she once relied on is shaken. Melissa expresses a desire to support her colleagues and maintain a sense of community, but struggles with the realization that job security is no longer a given.
As the conversation unfolds, Melissa acknowledges the need to adapt her mindset to embrace uncertainty and plan for various scenarios. She recognizes that while she cannot control external factors, she can focus on what is within her influence and foster a sense of agency within her team. The discussion highlights the importance of realistic optimism, where leaders must balance acknowledging challenges while remaining proactive in their approach to change.
Ultimately, Melissa's journey illustrates the complexities of leadership in times of turmoil, emphasizing the need for resilience, adaptability, and a commitment to personal and team values amidst uncertainty.
Show Notes
How Do I Stay Motivated After Surviving Layoffs? | Coaching Real Leaders
5 Jun 2023
---
She’s finally found a leadership role that feels aligned with her personal mission. But in the wake of unexpected company-wide layoffs, she’s struggling with how to plan for her team’s future amid the organizational uncertainty. Host Muriel Wilkins coaches her through how she can motivate and lead her team when so much feels out of their control.
Further reading: - How to Deal with Layoff Anxiety: https://hbr.org/2022/09/how-to-deal-with-layoff-anxiety - How to Support Your Remaining Employees After a Layoff: https://hbr.org/2020/05/how-to-support-your-remaining-employees-after-a-layoff - After Layoffs, Help Survivors Be More Effective: https://hbr.org/2009/06/after-layoffs-help-survivors-be-more-effective - Layoffs Are Harming The Mental Health Of Workers, Making Them Feel Vulnerable And Disposable: https://www.forbes.com/sites/jackkelly/2023/02/07/layoffs-are-harming-the-mental-health-of-workers-making-them-feel-vulnerable-and-disposable/?sh=69cd872e667e
This episode originally aired on Coaching Real Leaders on April 10, 2023.
Listen to more episodes of Coaching Real Leaders on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzAU8TPKsJua_hcLjT7aFzWcoqMnrp-z7
You can also listen to this episode on HBR.org, and wherever you listen to podcasts: - HBR.org (transcript available here): https://hbr.org/podcast/2023/04/how-do-i-stay-motivated-after-surviving-layoffs - Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-do-i-stay-motivated-after-surviving-layoffs/id1545444200?i=1000608192414 - Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2w9ELn8uYW5bbMxBpZagM7?si=c234dbe9cc264b7d - Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/show/coaching-real-leaders/episode/how-do-i-stay-motivated-after-surviving-layoffs-301827072 - Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cDovL2ZlZWRzLmhhcnZhcmRidXNpbmVzcy5vcmcvaGFydmFyZGJ1c2luZXNzL2NvYWNoaW5nLXJlYWwtbGVhZGVycw/episode/dGFnOmF1ZGlvLmhici5vcmcsMjAyMC0xMi0xNzpjb2FjaGluZy1yZWFsLWxlYWRlcnMuczUuMDAwMQ?sa=X&ved=0CAcQkfYCahcKEwiIhcuf5J__AhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQNg
Series Description: We all want to get to the next level of our career, but so many of us get stuck. Longtime leadership coach Muriel Wilkins takes you inside real-life leadership coaching sessions with high performers working to overcome professional challenges and grow as leaders. Listen in on real conversations and leave with new insights and practical guidance for your own career.
The views expressed on this podcast are those of its hosts, guests, and callers, and not those of Harvard Business Review.
About Harvard Business Review: Harvard Business Review is the leading destination for smart management thinking. Through its flagship magazine, books, and digital content and tools published on HBR.org, Harvard Business Review aims to provide professionals around the world with rigorous insights and best practices to help lead themselves and their organizations more effectively and to make a positive impact. Learn more at www.hbr.org.
Chapters: 00:00 – Intro 3:31 – “I don’t believe in job security anymore.” 10:59 – Managing Yourself Amid Uncertainty 17:12 – Scenario Planning Amid Uncertainty 23:33 – What Makes You Feel Safe? 30:44 – Accepted Uncertainties 41:00 – Realistic Optimism 44:20 – Takeaways 46:05 – Outro
Follow Harvard Business Review: https://hbr.org/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/harvard-business-review/ https://www.facebook.com/HBR/ https://twitter.com/HarvardBiz https://www.instagram.com/harvard_business_review/
Sign up for Newsletters: https://hbr.org/email-newsletters
#HarvardBusinessReview #leadershipcoaching #leadership
Copyright © 2022 Harvard Business School Publishing. All rights reserved.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
More from Harvard Business Review
Brands Must Learn to Navigate the Echoverse
Dr. Anthony Fauci on What It Will Take to Beat the Pandemic
How Do I Define My New Role to Set Myself Up for Success?Uploaded 20-06-23She’s found a career path she truly enjoys, in part because of her ability to take risks and try new things. Now, as her team is reorganized, she has the opportunity to design her next leadership position, but she’s not sure what she needs to ask for in order to be successful. Host Muriel Wilkins coaches her through reframing what may be holding her back and identifying the priorities she wants to focus on going forward.Further reading:• Turn the Job You Have into the Job You Want: https://hbr.org/2010/06/managing-yourself-turn-the-job-you-have-into-the-job-you-want • Using Design Thinking To Become The CEO Of Your Own Career And Drive Career Success: https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescoachescouncil/2023/04/25/using-design-thinking-to-become-the-ceo-of-your-own-career-and-drive-career-success/?sh=4596cfe47c25 • How to Create a New Job at Your Current Company: https://www.themuse.com/advice/how-to-create-a-new-job-at-your-current-company • How To Ask For What You Need At Work: https://www.forbes.com/sites/sarahsheehan/2018/08/09/how-to-ask-for-what-you-need-at-work/?sh=117dcb131d04 • Having the Here’s-What-I-Want Conversation With Your Boss: https://hbr.org/2015/11/having-the-heres-what-i-want-conversation-with-your-boss This episode originally aired on Coaching Real Leaders on May 8, 2023.Listen to more episodes of Coaching Real Leaders on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzAU8TPKsJua_hcLjT7aFzWcoqMnrp-z7 You can also listen to this episode on HBR.org, and wherever you listen to podcasts: - HBR.org (transcript available here): https://hbr.org/podcast/2023/05/how-do-i-define-my-new-role-to-set-myself-up-for-success - Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-do-i-define-my-new-role-to-set-myself-up-for-success/id1545444200?i=1000612170052 - Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4tYr5ebGmMfl74huIST3DC?si=a363e5a2c14747ef - Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/show/coaching-real-leaders/episode/how-do-i-define-my-new-role-to-set-myself-up-for-success-302960750 - Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cDovL2ZlZWRzLmhhcnZhcmRidXNpbmVzcy5vcmcvaGFydmFyZGJ1c2luZXNzL2NvYWNoaW5nLXJlYWwtbGVhZGVycw/episode/dGFnOmF1ZGlvLmhici5vcmcsMjAyMC0xMi0xNzpjb2FjaGluZy1yZWFsLWxlYWRlcnMuczUuMDAwMw?sa=X&ved=0CAgQuIEEahcKEwjYr7m37sP_AhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQLA Series Description: We all want to get to the next level of our career, but so many of us get stuck. Longtime leadership coach Muriel Wilkins takes you inside real-life leadership coaching sessions with high performers working to overcome professional challenges and grow as leaders. Listen in on real conversations and leave with new insights and practical guidance for your own career.The views expressed on this podcast are those of its hosts, guests, and callers, and not those of Harvard Business Review.About Harvard Business Review: Harvard Business Review is the leading destination for smart management thinking. Through its flagship magazine, books, and digital content and tools published on HBR.org, Harvard Business Review aims to provide professionals around the world with rigorous insights and best practices to help lead themselves and their organizations more effectively and to make a positive impact. Learn more at www.hbr.org.Chapters:00:00 – Intro2:25 – The Challenges of Defining a New Role10:50 – Blocking Out the Noise of Self-Doubt17:36 – Preparing to Stand Up for Yourself29:41 – Confidence Despite Ambiguity42:54 – Leveraging Community52:14 – Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for What You Need55:57 – Takeaways59:05 – OutroFollow Harvard Business Review: https://hbr.org/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/harv... https://www.facebook.com/HBR/ https://twitter.com/HarvardBiz https://www.instagram.com/harvard_bus... Sign up for Newsletters: https:// Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How to Ask Your (Unsupportive) Manager for Growth Opportunities