"If you want something you've never had, you have to be ready to do something you've never done before." ~ Thomas Jefferson
For most people, redundancy is a dreaded word.
It evokes thoughts of need, want and the struggle for survival.
I was released twice, and at both times it was difficult to accept.
During the redundancy process and for some time after, my feelings were omnipresent, which made it difficult for me to think clearly.
But I have found that if we can look back, sometimes we can find that redundancy may not have been the worst thing that could have happened to us.
Redundancy: Was it a blessing in disguise?
The first time I was laid off came when my employer was not sticking to our most profitable contract. The loss resulted in my team and I switching to the contractor who had outbid us.
Unfortunately, my new employer didn't need another senior manager. They ended my employment after just one week.
I was angry and upset.
I fought back.
But the truth is, at this point I needed a break from work.
My wife of 35 years was terminally ill.
Redundancy meant that I had been able to look after them around the clock for the past few weeks.
After her death I continued fighting against the employer until we settled down.
However, I soon realized that grief would have made it impossible for me to meet my usual high standards.
My wife often said that everything happens for a reason.
And I have found that under certain circumstances even redundancy can be a blessing. A blessing in disguise, but a blessing nonetheless.
Six months later I started a new job.
Redundancy: reason gives way to emotional turbulence
My second discharge was due to organizational restructuring.
I was leading a multidisciplinary team in a national organization, but due to reorganization there were now fewer teams than managers, so my job was at risk.
I had several new projects underway and it seemed to me that a change in leadership at this point was out of date and potentially harmful.
But that didn't seem to matter much.
Despite my undeniable achievement, I was released.
Again I felt hurt, angry, betrayed and angry.
Compared to voluntarily leaving a job without someone else (as I have done several times), being laid off feels very personal, which is seldom the case. And in my case, feelings of helplessness and loss of control made me fight back.
I have seen that employees showed similar emotions when I led them through redundancy consultations as a manager. I've always tried to mitigate the blow by pointing out that the post, not the post holder, is being fired.
But when we get bad news, we can't understand the difference. Our mind is full of negative and scary thoughts.
Restructuring: redundancy and unwanted retirement
By now you are probably thinking this guy has anger management problems. I assure you, I don't. I'm usually a laid back person, but for some reason the thought of redundancy brought out the worst in me.
I think it's the answer to fight or flight.
But this time I didn't fight.
Although I was afraid of being unemployed, I wanted to get on with my life.
I was past the state retirement age, but felt too young to retire.
I was in good health and still had a lot to give.
I worked for more than fifty years and couldn't imagine life without work.
Over time, I also recognized this redundancy as a blessing: The organization's values continued to migrate from mine. If I hadn't left at this point, it wouldn't have been long before I left voluntarily. At least with redundancy, they paid me to do it.
Redundant? Stop the Panic! Reflect and regroup
Without my job, I immediately applied for new positions.
I applied for two jobs and received an interview for both.
I felt good: two interviews from only two applications!
Here was proof that employers were looking for someone like me with high qualifications, skills and experience. All I had to do was play the numbers game, keep submitting applications, and sooner or later the right job would be mine.
The interviews went well – at least I thought.
I didn't get a job.
But instead of being disappointed, I felt so relieved that I just knew that I had to seriously think about why I felt this way.
That was a turning point.
The panic of not having a job was over; I was thinking clearly.
I decided that if I would work at all, it would be for myself on my terms.
So I stopped looking for job advertisements and summarized my résumé.
Now I could spend time with my pre-school grandchildren: another blessing.
I felt free.
Redundancy: Effects on self-esteem and self-confidence
If your job is in jeopardy, you might consider me naive for saying that layoffs can be a blessing.
That's a fair point: I don't comment on redundancy in general, just personal experience and even then in hindsight.
Your experience is unlikely to reflect mine and your circumstances will be materially different. Nevertheless, I tried to be open and honest with my feelings in order to show you the following:
Redundancy can create intense emotions that can cloud our judgment.
Acknowledging and embracing our feelings is better than burying them or pretending we're okay when we aren't.
We are more likely to feel different and see the best way forward when we think clearly.
When we are in a state of shock, our self-esteem suffers and self-confidence runs through the floor. That probably explains why I immediately started looking for another job. Perhaps subconsciously I was trying to prove to myself and the world that I still have what it takes to be successful.
As soon as my thoughts had calmed down, I could think more rationally.
I decided to consciously look for opportunities for which I had little or no knowledge or experience. These options would take me well beyond my comfort zone. And for that I had to learn new skills that I have done and continue to do.
Redundancy: A Chance to Chase Our Dreams
I acknowledge that not everyone is able not to seek paid employment, and I certainly do not advocate that.
Regardless of our different circumstances, however, redundancy offers time to reflect, time that we might otherwise not have and that we could use well.
Some of us are so busy that we keep wondering if what we are doing is what we really want.
Others may knowingly sacrifice their dreams instead of risking not having a steady income.
In both cases it is good to stop occasionally to think about what types of work would most satisfy and fulfill us.
As Thomas Jefferson said, "If you want something you've never had, you have to be willing to do something you've never done."
I don't regret much, but I wish I had followed some of the things I do now much sooner. Because I discover that careers like writing and coaching would have been possible even if you had kept a demanding job.
Finally:
Redundancy has so much to offer that I still don't like it.
But I liked being given the time to think.
And I saw that I had a choice.
I could see redundancy as either a disaster or a blessing: I chose the latter.
About Herbie Yon
Herbie Yon is a certified trainer, writer, spiritual director, and former senior manager. Its mission is to help people achieve their full personal and professional potential. Love personal development? Why not get paid to develop and help others and start a new career as a high-end coach? Click here for more.
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