Steven Thai’s Post

Layoffs. Yuck. They're a tough blow for everyone involved. I've been through both sides of it, and let me tell you, even for those who stay on the team, there's this weird feeling of heaviness. The team morale takes a gut punch, and talking to each other can get awkward and collaboration suffers. So, how do we pick each other up and keep things positive at work? Here are some ways we can actively do right now and questions we should be asking. Layoffs can really test a company's culture. How can we rebuild trust and support each other during this time? Share ideas for boosting team morale and creating a sense of community. We need to recognize the impact it has on those who remain at the company as it can feel the team you knew is sinking and you're not sure how to breathe again. Strong leadership is more important than ever. Leaders need to actively listen and understand the challenges their teams face. Open communication is key! Have you seen any examples of leadership that have impressed you lately? Share your experiences! Layoffs always mean more work for everyone left. How can we manage the workload fairly to avoid burnout? Let's share strategies for staying productive and healthy. What struggles are you encountering after layoffs? Maybe together, we can find ways to navigate this and come out stronger on the other side. #layoffs #companyculture #leadership #worklifebalance

✨ When the Season of Giving Brings Unexpected Challenges ✨ For many, the holidays are a time of joy and spending time with loved ones. But for some—myself included—this season feels heavier. 💔 Recent layoffs at major and mid-sized companies alike have left countless people, including me, facing unexpected uncertainty. Navigating unemployment during the holidays is very scary and difficult. But here’s the truth: “You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated.” — Maya Angelou 💡 To those experiencing this too: - You’re not alone. - It’s okay to feel overwhelmed. - Brighter days are ahead. 💡 To everyone else: - Your kindness matters more than you know. - Check in. Share a resource. Offer support. If you need encouragement, advice, or just someone to talk to, I’m here. Feel free to reach out.💙 #Resilience #Hope #Support #Layoffs #HolidaySeason

"Don’t stress the could haves. If it should have, it would have." — Unknown Right now, a lot of us on LinkedIn are thinking about all the things that didn’t go as planned—jobs we didn’t land, layoffs we didn’t see coming, or paths that just didn’t pan out. It’s so easy to get stuck in the “what ifs,” but honestly, that’s just a recipe for more stress. This quote is a good reminder for me and hopefully for you, that if something was meant to happen, it would have. And if it didn’t, there’s probably something else out there waiting for you—something even better. It’s tough, but sometimes you just have to let go of what didn’t work and focus on what’s next. So, instead of dwelling on what could’ve been, let’s start thinking about what’s ahead. There is so much possibility and trust me, that can feel overwhelming at times as well. New opportunities, new connections, new chances to grow—it’s all out there. You just HAVE to keep moving forward. The next big thing might be right around the corner. I believe in you and I believe that good things are coming for you. Keep shining. ✨ Hang in there. Better things are coming. 🙌 #JobHunt #CareerJourney #LetItGo #NewBeginnings #StayPositive #YouAreNotAlone

😩 Feeling the weight of recent layoffs? Obviously losing your job is tough. But it's also tough to be one of the ones left standing. Watching friends and colleagues lose their jobs is bound to make you feel anxious and uncertain. 💔 Not to mention feeling like the company culture you loved has changed and you’re not sure you want to be part of it anymore. You're probably dealing with extra work, feeling nervous about your company’s future, and worried that you’re going to be next. 🫣 ✨ But as someone who's been in the trenches as a Chief People Officer, I want to help you 𝗳𝗹𝗶𝗽 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗽𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗹. 💡 Yes, layoffs are unsettling, but you're still standing. They need you. And that gives you a rare opportunity – the chance to take the reins and take control of your career. 👉 If your company went through a layoff and you want to regain a sense of control, join me tomorrow, 𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹 𝟮𝟯𝗿𝗱 𝗮𝘁 𝟭𝗽𝗺 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲, 𝟰𝟱-𝗺𝗶𝗻𝘂𝘁𝗲 𝘄𝗲𝗯𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿. I’ll share simple strategies to help you not just survive, but thrive, after a layoff. You'll learn: ✨ 𝟯 𝘀𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗽𝘀 to take control of your career, even in uncertain times. ✨ The 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘀𝗲𝘁 𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗳𝘁 that will change everything. ✨ 𝗔𝗻𝘀𝘄𝗲𝗿𝘀 to your burning questions about navigating layoffs. It’s easier than you might think. I’ll show you how. Reserve your spot now. 👉 https://lnkd.in/eiMd72Dn 𝑃.𝑆. 𝐴𝑠 𝑎 𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑏𝑜𝑛𝑢𝑠, 𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑒𝑠 𝑤𝑖𝑙𝑙 𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑒𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑎𝑛 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑘𝑏𝑜𝑜𝑘 𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑒𝑑 𝑜𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 3-𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑝 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑛. #Layoffs #SurvivorSyndrome #Webinar

Feeling the vibe of something heavy lately, and it’s not just the weight of my workload. Let’s talk about layoffs for a sec. They've been hitting hard lately, and man, the fallout is real. 📉 Here's the deal: when people get the pink slip, it's not just about losing a job. It's like their whole world gets a shake-up. Financial stress, identity crisis, you name it. And it's no secret that when folks are pushed to the edge like that, it can bring out the worst in them. I've seen it firsthand – good people turning into negative energy magnets, spreading toxicity faster than a meme on social media. 🙅♂️ Toxic vibes start seeping into workplace culture, poisoning morale faster than you can say "water cooler gossip." Now, I get it. Losing a job is a gut punch. Been there, felt that. But here's the kicker: how we handle is what truly matters. It's easy to wallow in bitterness or sling blame like it's confetti. But ask yourself this – does that really help anyone, especially yourself? Instead of letting layoffs turn us into walking clouds of negativity, let's flip the script. Take a breath, dust off those resumes, and remember that setbacks are just setups for comebacks. 💪 It's all about attitude, folks. So, to all my peeps weathering the layoff storm – hang tight. You're stronger than you know. And remember, even in the darkest of times, there's always a glimmer of hope. Keep hustling, keep your chin up, and let's turn this negative energy into something positive. We got this. ✨ #StayPositive #LayoffsSuckButWeDont

🌷 𝑨𝒓𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒂𝒇𝒇𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒃𝒚 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒍𝒂𝒚𝒐𝒇𝒇𝒔? 🌷 Over the past few months, I have had way too many personal friends and connections who have been affected by the recent round of layoffs that never seem to cease in every corner of the world. Some, especially those who have gone through such cycles in the past, are more prepared than those who are experiencing this for the first time, understandably so. The hurt, anger, frustration, shock and fear that I see is upsetting. I know most companies try their best to carry out the 'order' from the top to do this the best way they can, unfortunately few do it well. We have heard horror stories not just from the news, but from our own network of friends too. I see employees having to go through layoffs at a much younger age than generations before them. No wonder more and more younger workforce are not trusting organisations to take care of their wellbeing. Who could blame them? If you are affected by change in your life, layoffs or otherwise, this Kübler-Ross' 5 stages of grief offers an understanding of what we go through emotionally. ❤️ Whatever you are feeling, you are right to feel all of it. ❤️ Sit with your emotions, give permission to feel all of them. It's ok to grief, it's ok to feel angry, shocked, disappointed. Feel the fear. Sit with your emotions. It's ok to feel all of them. When you feel ready, reach out to people who can support you, even just a listening ear. A friend, a family member, colleagues, therapist or coach. Leaders, I invite you to take advantage of this diagram to help you in your change management. Remember, you are dealing with human beings and not numbers. You are good people trying to good by your people, this diagram is beyond powerful. #leadership #changemanagement #culture #wellbeing #positivepsychology

It’s Wednesday and yet another wave of layoffs has been announced! Phew! It has been sometime since I have been experiencing this myself and boy has been a whirlwind! I am always saddened to see many others in the waves of layoffs almost every week especially while hoping and praying that the trend would go down. I had high hopes for 2024 (and they still are!) I truly empathize with all the people affected, feeling the stress and anxiety it takes to exist in this moment. I would like to share a few thoughts and resources to encourage so many others who might be in the same boat. It is tempting to wait until everything is settled for myself or others I know before sharing notes, but that would not be true leadership. Community - Lean in heavily into your friends, family, colleagues (current and former). Share your situation, but also activate them and ask them to really keep an eye out for you and what you're looking for. Join some online communities via LinkedIn or any other network to maintain your sense of belonging. Coaching - Seek a coach to help you walk through your personal challenges, any goals or even just setting up yourself to navigate the day to day experience of your new situation. Even if it is not a coach, talk to someone and get out your thoughts (many professional Coaches in training can support you in some way, just ask 😉). Content - Pay attention to what you consume for your own personal peace and mental health. Try to balance what you are taking in, and spread things that bring you joy throughout your day. Care- This is a period where your mental strength will be tested and it is crucial to maintain your self care at this time. Resources; -Never Search Alone - Book & Volunteer based community -A Life After Layoff - Youtube and email newsletter -Designing Your Life- book by Bill Burnett & David Evans -Follow some helpful people in the Talent Acquisition & Recruiting Space who post regularly You are not alone! You can do this! #jobseeker #opentowork #community #coaching #care #leadership

This week was tough. About 30% of my connections were impacted by a recent mass layoff (either directly or by immediate family members). Layoffs are……let me just say it…..they suck! They suck for the person directly impacted. They suck for the teammates who remain. They suck for the leaders who needed to deliver the message while also trying to keep the rest of the company/org/team focused on the work that still must be done. Layoffs suck! But….you know what else? 🤔 The situation is temporary. It may not feel that way in this moment, but I am hopeful…and optimistic…and encouraging those affected to channel positive energy about your tomorrow. I want you to know that: ✅ Your worth was not determined by your title or the company that you worked for. ✅ Your identity was not your badge or employee number. ✅ Your ability to do great work was not enabled by having a dotcom email address. YOU 👈🏾 were at the center of all those things. YOU! 👈🏾 Remind yourself that you have value, abilities, and an identity that is not “the company”. Take the time to pause and reflect on all that you were able to accomplish when you were at “the company”.  Really enjoy those moments of reflection because YOU did that!! And guess what? 🤔 You can do it again – and it’ll be even BETTER the next time around because you climbed a different mountain, had on different gear, and adopted a different mindset to propel you over the next one. It may not feel like it in this moment, but better days ARE on the way! 💯 And if you have moments that aren’t so good, use your resources to get you back to where you need to be – mentally, physically, emotionally, spiritually. Surround yourself with people who will give you the support that you need – family, friends, a therapist, a counselor, a sponsor, a coach, your spiritual leader, your fitness community….whomever those people are to you, lean into them to hold you up when you need it. You’ve got this! ❤️ #LeadingExecutively #ExecutiveCoach #LeadershipCoach #BetterTomorrow

Death and Work. Life and Work. Layoffs and Work. How do we, as leaders, balance humanity with the relentless pressures of business? The demand to deliver, stay profitable, and succeed often clashes with the need to be compassionate. It’s a constant challenge. How do we support someone mourning the loss of a loved one, caring for someone who’s ill, or navigating the uncertainty of layoffs? Some companies handle these moments with grace and empathy; others, sadly, fall short. Last week, I experienced this firsthand when a family member passed suddenly. I stepped away from work to grieve and be with my family. It wasn’t something I had planned for, but my incredible team stepped up and carried the load as we head into year-end. I’m so grateful for their support, and it reminded me how vital it is to build a culture of trust and care. These moments force us to pause and ask hard questions: ❣️ Are we giving our teams the space and compassion they need to navigate life’s unexpected challenges? ❣️ How can we ensure humanity isn’t sacrificed in the name of productivity? ❣️ And when tough decisions—like layoffs—must be made, how can we do so with empathy and integrity? Please share when your organization or team fostered a culture of compassion during challenging times. What worked? What could have been done better? I want to learn from all of you—because while the work is important, people are what truly matter. #employees #layoffs #leadership #compassion

The Hidden Blessings of Layoffs: A New Perspective🌟 Because I have been laid off three times, I know the uncertainty and stress that come with the news. In my case, it is only by looking back that I could see a silver lining that the layoff presented. And I believe I am now a better person for having gone through the experience – albeit I couldn’t see that then. For example, a layoff can be an opportunity to: 1.   Reassess Your Life Goals: What are your priorities? What truly matters to you? Once you’ve recovered from the initial shock, use the time to redefine your ambitions and set new, exciting goals that align with your authentic self. 2.   Improving Work-Life Balance: A layoff can be the nudge you need to reassess your work-life balance. What self-care practices can you incorporate into your daily life? (I wish I had known then about “Mindfulness” in those dismal days.) 3.   Review and Sharpen Your Transferable Skills: Many free online training courses—for both hard and soft skills—are available. LinkedIn also has many practical soft skill training modules. (Including "Mindfulness.") Remember, while layoffs can be devastating, they can trigger personal and professional transformation. Embrace this period of reflection and growth - and don't hesitate to lean on your network for support! What hidden blessings have you discovered during tough times? Share your thoughts below! 💬👇 #careerdevelopment #coaching #midcareerchange #professionalgrowth Image by Freepik