How to conduct a Heartfelt Layoff - Part 3

How should you communicate when you let people go?

By Deb Boelkes

Now, more than ever, keep in mind these individuals will want and need to hear validating recognition from you. You must deliver the message in a way that is authentic, from the heart, and honest. Do your utmost best to act with compassion, candor, and integrity.

As you plan for what you might say to each employee, assess how much and why you honor, respect and admire each team member. The positive characteristics of each person may be somewhat different.

When the time comes to have the conversation, if you can’t be by their side, physically—you can at least be there emotionally.

As I discuss in the book, Heartfelt Leadership, when I had to lay off my entire department at AT&T, I personally asked each employee, one at a time, to come into my office. As each individual entered my office, I motioned for him or her to sit down on the sofa, instead of in one of the chairs on the opposite side of my desk. I immediately came out from behind my desk and sat right next to my team member, turning toward them. I was right there next to each employee as I laid out the details of what was going to happen.

Obviously, this physical closeness may not be an option now due to social distancing. But leaders can and must ...

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How to conduct a Heartfelt Layoff - Part 2

What do some companies do wrong when laying people off?

By Deb Boelkes

I’ve seen countless mistakes over the years, starting with an experience early in my management career at AT&T in 1987, when the company was the first of several major corporations to undergo a significant downsizing. I talk about this experience in detail my latest book, Heartfelt Leadership: How to Capture the Top Spot and Keep on Soaring, but in a nutshell, here’s what happened:

It was on a Friday afternoon when I was told by my own manager I would have to lay off my entire department the following Tuesday morning. Not seeing it coming, I was completely stunned. I was given no instructions on how to go about it.  I felt as though I had been told to lead my team to the guillotine. The way the senior leaders handled it was heartless, yet I did my best to mitigate the negative impact on my team members.

Over the years, I have seen a number of other companies keep everything a secret until the last moment. In one client account, which I personally observed, a large number of people spanning many departments...

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How to conduct a Heartfelt Layoff - Part 1

How do you lay people off with heart?

By Deb Boelkes

Follow the Golden Rule. The best approach is always “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”  The Golden Rule is a guiding principle that leaders should live by every day, but it’s never more important than when employees are at their most vulnerable. Imagine how you would want to be treated if you were to lose your job and take action with that in mind.

Face Reality. Certainly few of us want to be laid off, but as Jack Welch, former CEO and Chairman of General Electric once said, the best leaders “face reality as it is, not as it was or as you wish it to be.”

If lay-offs in your company are not immediately imminent, but could be a possibility in the days or weeks ahead, don’t ignore the facts and don’t keep it secret. It’s far better that team members be forewarned so they can mentally prepare, determine their options, and make plans.

Communicate personally– in a calm and caring manner.  The owner / CEO should let team members know what they know as early as practical before any layoffs take place. Be honest, candid and empathetic when communicating. Forewarnings should be handled face-to-face. This can be done as a web-based town hall if in-person one-on-one meetings, by Skype or other means, are not practical.

Solicit input. Let employees know, in no uncertain terms, you are all in this together. ...

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WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN THE WORLD STANDS STILL? INSIGHTS AND WORDS OF WISDOM FROM METOMORPHOSIS WOMEN’S ENCOUNTER FOUNDER, MONIQUE ROGERS

Monique RogersQuestion #1: As of now, how has the evolving coronavirus pandemic and the various work, community, and travel-related restrictions impacted your life, personally and professionally?

Monique’s Answer: The pandemic has impacted my personal and professional lives in both positive and negative ways.

Negative: I’ve had to cancel all my workshops, speaking engagements, and family functions.

Our family has had to adjust to working remotely and we’ve had to transition our children to virtual education. It’s challenging to manage both. I notice elevated levels of stress and fear as the number of people infected across our county increases. 

Positive: We're doing our best to remain safe and stress free. As we practice social distancing, we have each experienced our fair share of boredom, however, I decided to "Quarantine with a Purpose" by intentionally making the best of this situation. I’ve decided to be grateful for this time.

I've needed to get some long neglected things accomplished. I've committed to invest in myself, my family, and my home during this time. I’ve come to realize staying home isn't so bad if you change your perspective, tap into your creativity, and reconnect with those you love.

 Question #2: What heartfelt words of wisdom do you have to share with leaders and aspiring leaders? To see Monique's response...

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WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN THE WORLD STANDS STILL? INSIGHTS AND WORDS OF WISDOM FROM AUTHOR AND FOUNDER OF GLOBAL COURAGE, MARGIE WARRELL.

Margie Warrell, bestselling authorQuestion #1: As of now, how has the evolving coronavirus pandemic and the various work, community, and travel-related restrictions being set in place impacted your life, personally and professionally?

Margie’s Answer: Profoundly. All of my engagements have been cancelled. My children have all been forced to leave their college accommodations or simply do school virtually. My book tour has been cancelled. My husband is sick in the hospital fighting this coronavirus and I’m in 14-day quarantine. I’d say that’s profound enough. 

Question #2: What heartfelt "best-ever boss" words of wisdom do you have to share with leaders and aspiring leaders?

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Ken Blanchard: My Wakeup Call with Dr. Mark Goulston

In this episode Dr. Mark Goulston speaks with legendary leadership guru Ken Blanchard on becoming real and vulnerable and speaking and living from your heart.

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What Do You Do When the World Stands Still? Insights and Words of Wisdom from Southwest Airlines’ Linda Rutherford

Question #1: As of now, how has the evolving coronavirus pandemic and the various work, community, and travel-related restrictions being set in place impacted your life, personally and professionally?

Linda’s Answer: In a nutshell, it has turned my personal and professional life upside down.

At home, my husband is on a work-from-home mandate. My two college-aged children are now dealing with online learning scenarios as both of their universities have cancelled classes for the rest of the semester.

My oldest is set to graduate, and what a world he will be entering in two months. My youngest is working on her “Plan B” for summer since her study abroad plans to Spain have been cancelled.

All my business travel to conferences and speaking engagements have been cancelled, and three personal trips have been put on ice.

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What do you do when the world stands still? Words of Wisdom for Heartfelt Leaders

Deb Boelkes

Question #2: What heartfelt "best-ever boss" words of wisdom do you have to share with leaders and aspiring leaders?  

Deb’s Answer:

• Let others know you love and care about them.


• Be forgiving.


• Be creative.


• Learn from the many lessons we are now being granted.

As the former Chairman and CEO of General Electric, Jack Welch, once said, “Face reality as it is, not as it was or as you wish it to be.”

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