BLOT for Reader--layoff season means it's time to make sure others see your value. Read how here.​

Something weird happens at this time of year, right Reader?

No, it's not pumpkin spice underload . . .

It's something a whole lot more gruesome: layoffs.

I heard from a few of you this week that your companies announced end-of-year layoffs--or that you suspect some are coming.

Being laid off can suck for air, even if you're expecting it. It can be just as hideous to be among the ones left.

Since historical data shows that December and January are the months most layoffs happen, let's take preventative action NOW.

First, remember that companies make decisions to reduce their headcount—often their biggest overall expense—for many different reasons:

• Change in business direction, such as the elimination of a service or product
• Change in business results, caused by world events, strikes, poor leadership, competition--you name it
• Change in leadership or just plain leadership FEAR​

Bottom line: it's rarely about you.

But here's how it DOES become about you, and how you can take back control. 🦾

The decision to make layoffs overall is often made by a group.

But decisions of WHO to lay off is often made by individual leaders.

That may be your manager or your manager's manager. Sure, sometimes entire departments are eliminated without consideration for who's contributing what.

But in my experience, there's often a discussion by those closer to the work about WHO to let go.

(If you're a manager or leader, you may have gone through this yourself. Hit REPLY and tell me about it. It sucks for you, too, right?)

So let's get to it. ⬇️

If you're in a job or company you love and want to stay, then what can you do to decrease the odds of a layoff happening to YOU???

1. Get clear about how what you do creates results that your company cares about, and
2. Talk about it to the people that matter.

It sounds complicated, but it's not. In fact, I've given you the tools and scripts here:

​How to Be More Valuable at Work ​(In Any Economy)​

So how about you, Reader? Ever been through a layoff--or avoiding one? Got wisdom to share? Hit REPLY and tell me. Or feel free to ask a Q related to your life at work. I always love to hear from you, and work hard to answer as many notes as I can.

In my opinion, layoffs are a lazy way to lead, but me saying that doesn't make them go away anytime soon. Now's the right time to hit reset and make sure that if any roles are going away, it won't be yours. After all, we need you in our world of work, red capes on forever. ❤️

Always, Darcy

​

P.S. Been hit with layoffs or having other problems at work? Don't forget we have an entire vault of articles, videos and tools here for you, organized by common questions that come up. Or, have a different question? Just hit REPLY and ask. And if you recently got laid off, first, I'm sorry that happened, and second, read this and avoid the job search traps. ​

And of course, you're always invited to share anything that resonates with you with friends or colleagues on social media or in email. Thanks! --D