What to do when faced with redundancy?
Scream, cry, sulk, get angry, question your ability, feel worthless, feel embarrassed…embrace it and move on.
I have been faced with redundancy not once but twice.
Both times I was on maternity leave – yet both experiences were vastly different.
Whilst neither of the situations was planned (in fact they both knocked me for a six) my approach was different – and I have lived to tell the tale. And I think I have come out the other side with a positive approach.
The first experience I went through all of the emotions listed above….except for the “embrace it and move on” phase.
I was too upset and angry to understand let alone possibly see any silver lining.
I went above and beyond for that employer – supervised staff who didn’t even report to me, learned their complete accounting system with no training provided so I could then be used to train their other staff on that program, covered for managers not pulling their weight – you name it and I did it – no questions asked.
So the redundancy hit my confidence like a freight train.
I eventually bounced back and 2.5 years later another redundancy came my way. I don’t know if I was just older and wiser – or if being a mother of two children under three meant now nothing easily phased me – but my response this time couldn’t have been more opposite.
I actually skipped all emotion this time around and went straight to the “embrace it and move on” phase. I knew it was just a business decision for them and nothing personal. I was just a number in an overall plan.
In fact – I said “Thank you” as I gracefully walked away.
No I was not crazy or deluded or suffering a mid life criseis. You see this time around I well and truly saw the silver lining. My business idea that had been festering in the back of my mind could now be brought to light.
So in reality they have given me the little push I needed.
Everything happens for a reason – but you need to be willing to open your eyes so you can find the reason.