Lessons Learned from Being "Let Go" -- A Senior Executive's Insights on Surviving a Re-Org

Life is good. You’re feeling accomplished personally and professionally and doing well in your chosen career. You have an abundance of great workplace relationships, a firm grip on your craft, good friends, close family, and an active social life. You come into work on a Tuesday that begins no differently than any other day. By early afternoon, the walls are tumbling down. A re-organization has been announced. Your position has been eliminated.

Your mind whirls, your emotions are all over the place. What just happened? In that moment, there is no time to set out a strategy, but you know you’ve got to regroup, recover, and move forward. Breathe.

It’s been well over a year since I experienced that kind of day and, looking back, there were things I did right and things I could’ve done better. During the period of professional recovery and personal growth that followed, I learned quite a few things about myself, my ambitions, and how I can prepare for my next opportunity. I also pinpointed what I had and hadn’t been doing well prior to being “let go,” and that is what I want to share with you.

Almost everyone will experience a professional disappointment or curveball at some point. If you’re like me – a senior executive 25 years into your career – it can seem like an insurmountable obstacle, but it doesn’t have to be. This is not an article about being prepared to be let go, it’s an article about being prepared – period.

Update your resume annually.

Being prepared is the difference between feeling hopeless and hopeful. What I did do right was to have an up-to-date resume and LinkedIn profile. It sounds obvious, but most people don’t have these two assets at their disposal. Even if you’ve updated them in the last year, it’s likely you’ve added to your portfolio or worked on a key project in that time that should be noted on your resume or profile. Don’t wait to make updates until you start looking for a new position and have forgotten about your recent achievements. More than a decade ago, I made it a regular practice to update my resume each year before my birthday. Setting this type of self-imposed deadline ensures that your resume is current, represents your skillset, and puts you in a position to better jump into the job market when you want—or need—to. 

Engage on LinkedIn before you are ready to look for a job.

As I mentioned, my LinkedIn profile was current and robust, but, if you’re like I was, LinkedIn is a giant business card receptacle. Maybe you check in once a week, but you don’t feel like dealing with it every day. Mistake. LinkedIn provides you with the opportunity to highlight your achievements, learn about current trends, and better connect with contacts and those operating in your field of expertise. I didn’t utilize the tools that make LinkedIn valuable. I rarely read relevant articles and even more rarely shared good information--unless it was something I needed to push out for my organization. LinkedIn should first be about you, advancing your career, sharpening your awareness, and understanding the power of connections. I now check LinkedIn daily, read countless articles and updates, and try to post at least once per week. I “like” relevant posts, looking for business opportunities for my consulting firm and occasionally to tap into possible job opportunities with interesting organizations. I write recommendations for friends and colleagues. LinkedIn is a powerful resource that I won’t again take for granted. Use LinkedIn like you use any other social media – log in daily to advance your career, sharpen your awareness of your industry, and build the power of your connections before you really need them.

Make your professional development about you.

I always thought I was pretty good about professional development. I made sure that I attended at least one industry conference per year, served on a board, and often participated on webinars that focused on public affairs goals and outcomes. Once I had some “free time on my hands,” I realized that I had missed out on some key professional development opportunities.

When I was working, I always encouraged my team to get the most out of their professional development opportunities (and budget dollars), reminding them that every new skill they learned was transferrable. However, I didn’t do a good job of heeding my own advice. Most every conference, networking event, and professional meeting I attended was primarily focused on increasing exposure for my organization or putting myself in front of my organization’s members. While I gained valuable experience and knowledge from these activities, my knowledge and professional growth was secondary. For years, I wanted to sit for the CAE (Certified Association Executive) exam but, 15 years later, I still hadn’t gotten around to it. Here’s a tip: Make your professional development decisions with yourself at the forefront. Don’t put off that certification, delay looking into graduate school, or talk yourself out of a conference that’s outside of your industry. Build your skill-set, increase your worth, and make yourself the priority. Your skills belong to you, wherever you go.

Endorphins are real; create a routine that includes exercise.

When you’ve worked consistently for all your adult life, waking up in the morning with “nowhere to go” can wreak havoc on your psyche and on your physical well-being. Looking for work can be a full-time job, so you need to create a routine that supports your new “position.” Was working out a part of your regular routine when you were employed? If the answer is yes, keep it up. If the answer is no, create a new routine that includes physical activity. Endorphins are real. If you move your body and support your health, I guarantee you will beat the blues and keep your energy high for your search.

Be in the moment; leave work at work. The work will get done.

Recently I was in Philadelphia for a weekend getaway with two of my college girlfriends. We were reminiscing about a birthday trip to the Bahamas some years prior, but I had no memory of the first night’s festivities. Was early onset dementia setting in? No, my friends reminded me that I had to delay my flight because of a “work thing.” Not only did I arrive six hours later than planned, upon my arrival at the hotel, I spent almost two hours on a call with my office while everyone else was attending a beach cocktail party. My fault. Totally my fault. I’d flown to the Bahamas to sit on a call instead of sitting with my friends and celebrating each other. It made me think: How many times had I bailed on friends or family because I needed to “clean up email” or make a dent in my “pile?” Leave work at work. The work will get done--even if your inbox is full and your pile is high. Don’t lose the opportunity to make memories or pursue hobbies. Make your personal life a priority.

Every person you’ve helped in the past may not help you in the future. Yes, you are going to lose “friends.”

After I was let go, I heard from countless connections, members of my team, co-workers, member company representatives, and even vendors. They offered advice, professed their willingness to help in my job search, and, later, after I started my firm, offered to help me make connections. I was not at all surprised to hear from these people. I’ve always been a good colleague, friend, and client and was touched by their caring. However, I quickly learned that while most people had pure intentions, follow-through was not likely. Whether it’s an unreturned call, a failed introduction, or my all-time favorite, “let’s circle back when I get back from travel next month,” you must steel yourself and decide when to follow up and when to move on. Moving on doesn’t mean that you will never speak to them again; it simply means that they are not in a place to be helpful, so you must move on and identify someone who can. You’re going to lose relationships--your “work friends” may move on, you’ll no longer have a common bond with others, and some folks will simply disappear. It can be hurtful and surprising, but in due time it will be okay. Keep relationships in perspective. Your real friends will still be there.

Don’t take it personally; then make it personal.

Every organization has the right to restructure, change course, and/or employ those they see as best serving their organizations. Even though I understand and agree with an organization’s prerogative to re-organize, that doesn’t mean it will not affect you personally. Your job is your business, your livelihood, and a significant chunk of who you are. To have it stripped away in an afternoon is very personal. It bothered me when well-meaning people told me, “you can’t take it personally.” It has everything to do with me – it couldn’t be any more personal.

While these feelings are natural and understandable, it’s important to not take it so personally that you become paralyzed by anger, sadness, fear, and bitterness. The question becomes: How do you move forward? How do you pick up the pieces?

For the first time in a long time, I took stock of everything I was feeling. I dealt with my emotions. I processed the hurt and betrayal and then, I made a plan. I made myself number one in my life. I reminded myself how strong I am. I remembered how capable I am and how many professional achievements and contributions I had made. I put together my plan of action and moved forward—I went from taking it personally to making it personal. I made it all about me and used that as the fuel to move forward and what a ride it has been! I’ve learned so much and experienced even more and, most of all, I now take my own advice:

•  Stay prepared so you don’t have to get prepared.
• Everything you learn goes with you.
• Leave work at work; be in the moment.
• Treat your mind and your body right.
• Keep relationships in perspective.
• Unplug and go on that vacation! Shop, shoot pool, hike, or make that model airplane.
• Enjoy your friends and family and pursue your hobbies.

Work is not life, but life is the ultimate work in progress.

Tiffany N. Adams is president of T. Adams Consulting LLC, a firm specializing in advocacy program assessment, including meeting and legislative fly-in optimization, and executive and team coaching.

A seasoned public affairs and government relations executive, Tiffany has 25 years of experience working directly with global and domestic businesses and numerous industry trade associations. She can be reached at tadams@t-adamsconsulting.com.