Leading in a Sh*t Storm: How to Talk to Laid-off Employees - #1 in a Series

Years ago, I wrote speeches for three FBI Directors and taught public speaking at George Mason University for twenty years. No speech is more difficult to give than to employees being laid off. After a recent call with the CEO of a government contracting company whose business was gutted by the latest government policies, I decided to outline some notes for her and others facing this same onerous task. I hope it helps.

Speaker:? US Department Leader or GovCon CEO

Presentation Outline for Federal or Gov Con Employees Facing Layoffs?

Title: “Navigating Change Together: Support, Next Steps, and Your Future”

I. Opening: Acknowledge the Situation with Empathy (5 min)

? Welcome everyone with a calm, empathetic, supportive tone.

? Key Message: “I know this is not the news any of us ever wanted to hear. You’ve dedicated your careers to serving the American people, and what’s happening feels thoughtless and unfair. But you are not alone—we will face this together.”

? Acknowledge emotions: “This is difficult. You probably feel frustrated, anxious, even angry. I sure do. These are natural reactions, and I want to assure you that your contributions matter and will continue to matter.”

II. Explain What’s Happening and Why (5 min)

? Be transparent but neutral: “Due to policy decisions made by the President, our Department/Company has been ordered to undergo significant reductions in force. These decisions were made without consulting those most affected—YOU or Me or Anyone directly affected by such decisions.”

? Clarify timeline: “Layoffs will take effect on [specific date], and you will receive official notices detailing your last day, benefits, and transition support.”

III. Immediate Next Steps (10 min)

? Unemployment benefits:

? “You are eligible for unemployment assistance through [state agency] and paid for by the federal government. We will guide you through this process to ensure you receive support as soon as possible. Make sure to give us your latest contact information, including your personal email and phone number to ensure we get info to you quickly. ”

? Severance (if applicable):

? “We will provide details on severance packages, continuation of health benefits, and retirement considerations.”

? Career transition assistance:

? “We are working to connect you with job placement services, resume workshops, and networking opportunities with both public and private sector employers.”

IV. The Bigger Picture: Reframing This Moment (5 min)

? Acknowledge the reality, but shift perspective:

? “Yes, this is a setback, but it is not the end of your career. Many of you have skills that are in high demand in both the public and private sectors.”

? Examples of others who have successfully transitioned

? “Time and again, we’ve seen people take a difficult moment like this and turn it into an opportunity—whether it’s moving into a new federal agency, pivoting to state government, or joining the private sector.”

V. Support & Resources (10 min)

? Job opportunities: “We are coordinating with other federal agencies and private employers to find opportunities that align with your expertise.”

? Mental health and financial counseling:

? “This transition is tough. We encourage you to take advantage of counseling and stress-management resources available through [organization].”

? Group advocacy:

? “There is power in numbers. We encourage you to stay connected with unions, professional organizations, and advocacy groups working on your behalf, and especially with each other on Zoom, conference calls, etc.”

VI. Closing: Inspire Resilience (5 min)

? Final Message:

? “This is not just about today. It’s about what comes next. You have built careers based on resilience, adaptability, and service to your country. Those qualities will carry you forward.”

? Commitment to Support:

? “We will not leave you behind. In the coming days, we’ll provide concrete guidance on the next steps, including a roadmap for each of you to move forward.”

• We will also hold a weekly update for all employees, including current and riffed. We will get through this together--I promise.

? End on a hopeful note:

? “Transitions like this are hard, but they also create opportunities. Stay connected, stay engaged, and most importantly, know that you are not alone in this.”

Presentation Delivery Tips:

1. Use a steady, confident tone. Avoid sounding overly political, but be firm in advocating for employees' worth and future.

2. Maintain eye contact and open body language – Convey sincerity and support.

3. Use pauses for impact – Give people space to absorb difficult news.

4. Have printed materials or a follow-up email – Provide a clear list of resources, contacts, and next steps.

Leading in Uncertain Times Podcast

Here is a podcast overview of my article,?"Leading in Uncertain Times," which might help you navigate this uncertain time. Special thanks to Dean McIntyre for formatting this and making it possible. Note that Notebook LM created the podcast using AI analysis and voices and is a reliable description of the article I wrote.

Here is an additional link to the podcast.

Schedule a Presentation

I will also give presentations on this topic to agencies, companies, and organizations. Contact me at?[email protected] . If you are experiencing difficult financial times, listen to the 20-minute podcast as a team for free. We will also publish the article next week and allow you to access it for free.

Note: The profits from the presentation will support?Northern Virginia Family Services, on whose board I served for nine years. This organization takes care of so many families impacted negatively by the current situation.

#leadership #Leading_in_Uncertain_Times #govcon #resilience #teams