It's Always Personal

In the ruthless world of modern business, the phrase "it's just business" is frequently invoked to rationalize decisions that impact people's lives in profound ways. As the classic mantra suggests, the idea is that business decisions should be made based on data, market dynamics, and profit margins, rather than emotions. However, the stark reality is, even if a decision stems from a spreadsheet, its implications are deeply personal, affecting real people and their intricate life narratives.

The premise behind "it's just business" is fundamentally simple: Company leaders scrutinize the balance sheet, detect areas where expenses can be reduced, and make necessary cuts, which at times include staff. On the surface, this might seem like an emotion-free, purely strategic maneuver. The company does what it needs to survive and thrive, and those on the receiving end of these decisions should, theoretically, understand that these actions are not an assessment of their individual worth. But, as anyone who has faced this reality knows, understanding doesn’t always translate to acceptance.

For the employee who has been let go, the narrative is vastly different. This person is not just an expendable number on a ledger. They are an individual with responsibilities, hopes, aspirations, and fears. They have families relying on their income, mortgages or rents to pay, medical conditions to manage, and daily lives interwoven with the job they once had.

COBRA, for example, while designed as a bridge, often becomes a mirage for those in dire need. Its hefty costs stand as an ironic reminder of the cruel jest that is the American healthcare system, a punishing expense for those already grappling with job loss. And while company executives might argue that offering COBRA is a gesture of goodwill, the financial burdens it imposes often make it an option in name only.

Then there's the emotional toll. Many employees dedicate countless hours, sacrificing personal time, family events, or simply the luxury of a weekend off, all in the name of commitment to their job and company. They build bonds, form friendships, and harbor a genuine belief that they're part of something bigger—a team, a mission. But when they're suddenly let go, the realization that these sacrifices were in vain can be soul-crushing. A couple of weeks of severance pay might cover immediate bills, but it does little to heal the emotional scars or replace the lost sense of belonging.

Company leaders might find solace in convincing themselves that these tough decisions weren't personal. And indeed, for them, the decision may have been a necessary evil for the company's survival. Yet, this does not negate the deeply personal ramifications for those affected. It might be comforting for someone who's been laid off to believe that their dismissal wasn't a reflection of their skills or worth, but this comfort is ephemeral when faced with tangible hardships like financial strain or the emotional pain of betrayal.

The crux of the matter is that businesses are not faceless, emotionless entities. They are conglomerates of people. From the CEO in the executive suite to the janitor ensuring a clean work environment, every individual plays a role, brings unique value, and has personal stakes tied to the business. To suggest that any decision in this ecosystem is "just business" is to deny the very humanity that underpins every organization.

In a world that increasingly values authenticity, empathy, and emotional intelligence, it's time for businesses to recognize that their decisions, no matter how data-driven, have deeply personal consequences. The narrative of "it's just business" is not only outdated but also oversimplified. Business is about people, and for people.

Bottom line: Whether you mean for it to be or not, or whether you acknowledge the fact or not, a person's life has been affected and there is a quickly cascading domino-effect that impacts the lives of everyone around them.

It's always personal.