Here's how you can navigate the emotional impact of a layoff.

Layoffs are tough. Acknowledge the grief, don’t bury it. Leaders need to recognize the emotional toll to navigate these storms effectively. It’s not just business; it’s personal.

As humans we try to avoid the difficult and uncomfortable feelings that come with being laid off. A starting point is to be able to make space for the feelings that come up when we loose our job. These are normal reactions in this situation. They are not a sign of weakness. They can, however feel overwhelming. It can be helpful to remember that you can make space for these feelings, breathe around them, push your feet in the floor and connect with the room and the people around you. You might not like them, but this allows you to take the next step.

Allow yourself to grieve. Acknowledge your feelings. It's perfectly normal to feel a range of emotions after a layoff. Give yourself permission to grieve the loss of your job. Bottling up the sadness, anger or frustration can be counterproductive.

"Hey, Grief? Where are you?"?? While I understand that being laid off can be a painful shock for many, requiring an acknowledgment of grief, I believe this approach isn't always necessary for everyone. Many years ago, I was also laid off, and to make matters worse, the process was very poorly managed. However, it turned out to be one of the best moments of my career. It propelled me further than I could have imagined at the time. Instead of focusing on grief, I immersed myself in reflection, accepted the change, and embraced uncertainty. This allowed me to grow from the experience, gain powerful insights, and realign my career to create a body of work that I am very grateful for today. Not everything that happens to us is meant to harm us.

Know that the stages of grief are not linear, nor are they a 'once done and move on'. You might find yourself moving to acceptance and action, only to find yourself full of anger again, and through depression and trying to bargain your way out of it. This is normal. Grief has its own timeline, pattern and pace. Just like oceans, you might get swept away by a giant wave and experience moments of absolute calm. You can navigate it a lot better if you learn to ride the emotional waves, rather than swim against them. Accept the emotions for what they are (i.e. phases of grief) and don't beat yourself up for having them. Allow yourself to feel them fully and then focus on what you need and what you can do or control in the moment.

Being laid off can bring up feelings of rejection, failure and shame. This can cause you to isolate and withdraw, which only makes the matter worse. No matter what people say, it's hard not to take it personally - part of you will undoubtedly be bruised. Sharing your pain with others (especially people who have gone through a similar experience and come out the other side) can be a great way to gain perspective and realise that it is not personal.

"I can buy myself roses." ???? Rather than seeing a layoff as a loss, sometimes it’s an opportunity to reflect on what you’ve gained. Much like the end of a personal relationship, distance can reveal that things weren’t as perfect as they seemed. When I was laid off, I felt an unexpected relief rather than grief. I realized that I had been misaligned with my previous employer, with my core values and beliefs taking a backseat. I had spent years trying to please people who didn’t deserve it. This experience became a powerful catalyst for change, allowing me to identify my non-negotiables and rediscover what truly brought me joy. With a blank canvas before me, I was ready to paint a new and more fulfilling chapter of my work life.

Even if you can't always see it at the time, every event contains the potential for a gift or opportunity. This is what Positive Intelligence (PQ?) calls 'the sage perspective'. So allow your mind to consider what potential opportunities this might open up for you. I faced redundancy twice in my career and both times, this propelled me to make a change or to go after things I may not have had the impetus to go for otherwise.

After reflecting on your career transition, adopt a strategic approach with these steps: Financial planning: Assess your financial situation and create a budget to manage expenses during this period. Update resume and LinkedIn: Refresh your resume and LinkedIn profile, showcasing relevant skills and achievements. Network effectively: Engage in networking activities to discover job opportunities and expand your professional connections. Set achievable goals: Break your transition plan into small goals, providing a sense of progress and purpose as you move forward in your career journey.

Stay active and engaged. Include activities that promote physical and mental well-being, such as exercise, hobbies, and learning new skills. Maintaining a routine can help you manage stress and keep your spirits high.