Hey Reader,
I still remember the day I walked into the conference room, knowing the conversation ahead would be one of the hardest in my career. Our company had been hit by a sudden market downturn, and despite every effort to protect jobs, layoffs were unavoidable. As a leader, I had been through challenging quarters, tense negotiations, and major organizational changes. This was different.
When you are the one delivering the news, you carry the weight of more than just the business decision. You carry the human impact. These were people I knew, whose kids I had seen grow up in countless photos. Yet, my role was to deliver the message with clarity and compassion while still leading the remaining team forward.
That is when I learned that resilience as a leader is not about staying unshaken. It is about feeling the weight of a moment, processing it, and then choosing to stand up for your people, both those leaving and those staying.
In the workplace, resilience is often mistaken for sheer endurance or “toughing it out.” True resilience is far more active. It is the ability to recover quickly from setbacks, adapt in the face of change, and maintain your capacity to lead with clarity and empathy.
When a leader demonstrates resilience, it gives the team permission to face adversity without collapsing under it. During our layoff period, my resilience was tested in three ways:
- Managing my own emotions so I could show up as a stable presence for others.
- Communicating transparently, even when the news was not what people wanted to hear.
- Keeping a vision for the future alive, so the team still had something to work toward.
How Layoffs Test and Build Resilience
Layoffs do not just remove employees. They shift trust, morale, and a sense of security. The surviving team members often experience “layoff survivor’s guilt,” increased workloads, and fear of what is next. Leaders who can navigate this period with steadiness are the ones who ultimately strengthen the culture rather than fracture it.
Here is what worked for me:
- Acknowledging reality without sugarcoating it. Employees value honesty, especially in hard times.
- Creating space for conversations. Sometimes the most important leadership act is simply listening.
- Modeling self-care. Resilience is not built in a sprint. It is sustained by leaders who know when to rest and recharge.
When leaders cultivate resilience, they develop deeper emotional intelligence, better decision-making skills under pressure, and the trust of their teams. Resilient leaders inspire confidence, not because they never face difficulties, but because they consistently rise to meet them.
Looking back, that period of layoffs shaped me more than any promotion or award. It forced me to confront my own limits, rely on my values, and lead from a place of both strength and compassion. Today, I see resilience not just as a skill but as a leadership cornerstone.
If you are leading in uncertain times, remember that resilience is not just about weathering the storm. It is about helping others find their footing in it. Start small: listen more, communicate openly, and take care of yourself so you can take care of your team.
Listen to our latest episode of LEADERISH: Leadership lessons straight up to hear the story of Heidi Siefkas, who lost everything while taking out the trash.
If you have recently been laid off, please reach out for a free, no-pressure interview prep session. I'm here to support you!
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A Little Bit About Regina
I'm Regina Taute (say Howdy Taute and you've pronounced it right) a seasoned talent leader with experience in leadership and organizational development. I started Collective Growth Coaching and Consulting to partner with organizations to develop wildly practical and effective talent strategies. As a credentialed coach and certified in MBTI and Hogan assessments, my passion lies in unlocking potential and driving sustainable growth by helping individuals and teams thrive in today’s evolving business world.
It would be my honor to join you for a complimentary 30-minute coaching session to help solve a current challenge with wildly practical solutions or to meet with you one-on-one to chat and get to know you.
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