PPB February 2021

and what makes you excited about your career?” Listen closely to each response. Wholeheartedly commit to helping them find their next role. Assure the employee that you will do everything in your power to help them land their dream job. Call around to any contacts you have and inquire about potential job opportunities for each member of your staff who is being laid off. Give referrals freely. Help them come up with stretch assignments that will give themmore experience and prepare them for potential opportunities they are interested in pursuing. When they do find other opportunities, coach them through the interview process. Touch base with the teammember through their interview process at other companies. Make yourself available to run mock interviews and check in often to see how they are doing. They will appreciate having a mentor through this challenging process. Is it unorthodox to keep in touch with employees after you let them go? Perhaps. But if you truly care about someone, you will want to. And who knows? You may be able to bring the person back at a later date. When I had to lay off my team at AT&T, each employee went off to better, more exciting positions. A few started their own businesses, and I was even able to bring back others as contractors. The point? Just because you’re letting someone go doesn’t mean their life is over. There’s no escaping the discomfort and pain caused by layoffs, but these steps keep the suffering to a minimum. You have the responsibility to send an employee off into the job market hopeful and inspired, not angry or hurt. If you’ve done your job right and acted from a place of love, they’ll leave knowing that the best part of their life is still ahead . Deb Boelkes is the award-winning author of The WOW Factor Workplace: How to Create a Best Place to Work Culture and Heartfelt Leadership: How to Capture the Top Spot and Keep on Soaring. She has more than 25 years in Fortune 150 high-tech firms leading superstar business development and professional services teams. As an entrepreneur, she has accelerated advancement for women to senior leadership and delighted and inspired over 1,000 audiences across North America. Stock Lid Colors (Included) Optional Straw with Tether Cap 10 Stock Lid Colors - Included TG12 12oz 2Go Bottle TG16 16oz 2Go Bottle TG24 24oz 2Go Bottle • 6 Sizes: 12, 14, 16, 20, 24, & 32 Ounces • Travel Friendly Screw-on Lids • Large Mouth for Ice 2Go-Bottles .com All Products Are Plastic • FDA Approved Materials • Prop 65 Compliant • Not Affected by China Tariffs ASI 61952 • SAGE 51641 • xII:B **+*.0 • DC 100413 EQP Special on all 2Go Bottle Orders Discount Code: PPBTG0221 • Ex: 4/30/21 300 piece minimum order. Must mention code on PO. EQP $ 4.08 R EQP $ 3.70 R EQP $ 4.57 R | FEBRUARY 2021 | 55 THINK