Episode Overview

In this powerful two-part series, Whitney Siders and Catie Campbell tackle the tough but necessary topic of layoffs—specifically from the company and leadership perspective in Part 1. With nearly 40 years of combined experience coaching Fortune 500 companies, they dive into the nuances of layoff strategy, transparency, and the profound impact on employee morale and company reputation. From poor strategic planning to corporate restructuring, they explore how companies can handle layoffs with clarity, integrity, and foresight—without sacrificing their people or brand.

🎯 Who This Is For

• HR leaders and executives preparing for or recovering from layoffs
• Managers tasked with difficult offboarding conversations
• Organizational consultants supporting business transitions
• Anyone in leadership concerned with company culture and workforce trust

📌 Topics We Cover

• The real reasons behind most layoffs (hint: it’s not always about the money)
• Why “restructuring” is often a euphemism—and what real restructuring looks like
• The dangers of efficiency over empathy in layoff execution (Better.com, anyone?)
• Layoff aftermath: survivor’s guilt, burnout, and the silent fallout
• Practical tools for doing it the right way: messaging, planning, and post-layoff support

💬 Takeaway Quotes

"You can lay people off and still be values-first. It just takes intention." – Whitney Siders

"A restructure should be exactly that. Not a euphemism for poor planning." – Catie Campbell

"Efficiency isn’t always worth the cost—especially when you burn your brand in the process." – Whitney Siders

"Your people watch how you treat those who leave. That shapes how the rest decide if they’ll stay." – Catie Campbell

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