We are living in an Age of Mass Layoffs. What started with COVID-19 has persisted now for years.

The Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) was first identified through a respiratory outbreak in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China. On December 31, 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) was notified. On January 30, 2020, WHO declared the COVID-19 a global health emergency. By March 11, 2020, WHO announced COVID-19 as a global pandemic. [1]

COVID-19 set off a series of adverse events, including supply chain disruptions, war, and inflation. As of this writing, we are still experiencing challenges.

Mass layoffs have been a result of the uncertainty that followed COVID-19. Continued uncertainty creates challenges in business operations. Challenges in business operations may lead to missteps in revenue forecasts. These challenges could result in missed growth opportunities that may have shifted. These headwinds can lead to layoffs.

Regardless of the path, one can't deny the impact of mass layoffs. In the U.S., 41.7 million people were laid off in 2020, the largest in history. The graph below shows Tech Layoffs in 2022 and 2023.

Source: Visual Capitalist

We are here to respond to the layoff challenge for this article, not solve it.

You are here because you are an ambitious professional or budding solopreneur. I expect that you will respond differently from most.

When people are affected by mass layoffs, they usually face the loss directly. The typical look for a new role via LinkedIn and survive as best as possible. This has been challenging.

Over the years, I've lived through several layoffs and played almost every role you can experience. From every angle, layoffs are brutal. From these experiences, I know how you respond makes all the difference.

Your challenge is to survive workforce reductions and thrive from here on out.

This challenge is one of the reasons I started my writing journey. Here, we will detail how to survive and thrive with a small, growing community that will do it together.

• Accept reality
• Plan for the unexpected
• Build up resiliency
• Play both offense and defense to build a system of freedom

46% of the employees reported that they were unprepared for the layoffs. [2] Yet, in 2023, there still are massive layoffs, with families scrambling to recover.

Let’s take a look at a better way:

There is no easy path in the response. There is no silver bullet that will solve layoffs. There is a mindset that you can employ that will build your ability to pivot, grow, and scale in the midst of it all.

If that sounds interesting to you, let’s get into how, step-by-step:

Step 01: Accept reality

61% of adults between the ages of 18 and 34 reported that they dealt with tremendous pressure and layoff anxiety. This is called Survivor Anxiety. Regardless of the role you find yourself in, Survivor, Manager of an Impacted Team, or Laid Off Employee, it is in your best interest to accept your reality.

Please be aware of what you can and cannot change in the face of this challenge.

1. Be present in your role: Whether you are still employed or leading your family through these times, be present. It can be easy to freeze up during a traumatic event. Keep your eyes open to your current responsibilities and deliver on your promises.
2. Reflect on what you don’t have access to: You will not have access to why your company made these layoff decisions. You will not have a rationale behind why you or someone close to you were selected. You will not have access or answers to many questions that may frustrate you as you deal with this impact on your family. It is okay, not to be okay. Take the time to digest what you have and what you don't. Take stock. Write it down and reflect. Make the mental shift from shock to checking your toolbox.
3. Focus on what you can: As you evaluate your toolbox of what you do have, you may realize that you can make moves. The moves you can make will be within your control because you have assets and experience from your past. With someone else's help or looking further into this article, could you write down 5-10 moves you can make right now with what you have? If you can make a small list, imagine what you will do with a treasure of best practices. Remember that your assets, marketability, and experience have brought you this far.

Step 02: Plan for the unexpected

Tech companies have hired too many employees, so now those employees are more likely to get laid off. Regardless of industry, we are living in this reality.

Companies have to make big bets in the marketplace to continue to grow. If those bets do not pan out, you can "expect" reorganizations to occur.

You should no longer be surprised about layoffs if you can spot the signs of uncertainty. In response, you need to make bets on yourself if you are to grow.

Planning for what you know will happen is smart. You don't know when it will occur; this is the unexpected. Do what you can now.

1. Know your passions and purpose: Doing the foundational work to know yourself will always stay in style. Everything I suggest focuses on your ability to anchor your purpose. Pay attention to this step, and land with your personal statement.
2. Stay marketable: Every six months, ensure your resume, job experience, and recent projects are up to date. The easiest way to stay ready for market opportunities is to test the market. Whether or not you are looking for a new role, you can interview for a role two levels above your current one. You will gain valuable insights on the market and inputs into your areas for career development.
3. Build your brand: Here, we will focus on the basics that must be true for you to have a stable foundation to build your online brand.

Step 1: Get 360-degree feedback at work and home

Step 2: Respond to turn feedback into positive changes

Step 3: Search and save 20 people that you aspire on LinkedIn

Step 4: Write down positive characteristics you like from the profile

Step 5: Mimic these themes and make changes to your LinkedIn profile

These minimal changes include your profile Photo, Cover image, About Page, and Featured Posts.

These recommendations are foundational as you plan for any unexpected layoffs.

Step 03: Build up resiliency

There are levels to this game, as you may have noticed from the previous two recommendations. Again, we will focus on the basics to build a cushion of personal resiliency for your career and family.

1. Stack your liquid savings: Create a safety net of savings that makes sense for you and your family. Keep your debts paid down low or off. If layoffs find their way into your life, having your financial house in order could make all the difference.
2. Grow your network: Don't be that person with only 150 LinkedIn connections. Take the time to actively build relationships in person and on LinkedIn. Ask for recommendations on LinkedIn. Connect with people you meet within your company, industry and with vendors you interact with. Actively grow your network to strengthen your eventual net worth.
3. Invest in Yourself: You can make no better investment than your development. If you have not invested in your growth recently, consider leveling yourself up. Get that new certification, grab that M.B.A., or learn a new skill that aligns with your goals. Never stop learning.

Step 04: Play both offense and defense to gain more flexibility

Once you complete the basics, it's time to level up. The following recommendations will help you extend your brand and network for influence. Additionally, you can create new income streams that grow over time. Doing so may minimize your dependency on full-time employment by only one employer.

Here are a few recommendations you should consider:

• Replace your LinkedIn photo with a current professional headshot
• Grow your personal board of directors with advisors for areas of your life
• Significantly build your network; implement a plan for network growth
• Share your knowledge; write articles on LinkedIn, Substack, or Beehive. Your topics should be relevant to your industry or passions.
• Invest in income-generating assets (real estate, online courses, paid community building)

These recommendations take time to put in place. Implementing any of these will require a time commitment. Once complete, they will give you an asset that can grow with you over time.

We are living in the age of mass layoffs. You have a plan now to prepare, survive, and thrive.

Expert Tip: Do not go at this alone. Walk the path with a peer that's a step or two ahead of where you are.

Your Homework: DM me and tell me what aspect is a significant miss. What was left out that you wish I would have addressed?

Next Steps: Want to implement this system with the support of a community? Join the interest list for the 90-Day Boss Move Response to Layoffs Cohort, Feb 3rd - May 4th, 2024. (Limited Availability for Focused Results)

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Sources:

1. Visual Capitalist - https://www.visualcapitalist.com/visualizing-tech-company-layoffs-in-2022/
2. Layoff.fyi
3. Statistica
4. Bureau of Labor Statistics
5. Demandsage - https://www.demandsage.com/layoff-statistics/
6. Marshall Goldsmith - Turning 360 Degree Feedback Into Positive Change