How to Navigate Career Pivots: Lessons for Leaders After Layoffs
- James Powell
- May 4
- 4 min read
Updated: May 9
The Shock of a Layoff: Turning a Setback Into an Opportunity
Hearing the words “We’re downsizing” , “Your role has been eliminated” or "We've made the decision to end your contract" can feel like a gut punch.
For leaders, layoffs don’t just challenge your livelihood—they can shake your sense of identity, purpose, and direction. That gut punch has rocked me.
Yes, it stings, and a layoff doesn’t have to define you. Navigating career pivots after layoffs is painful. It can also be a turning point. After giving yourself space to feel the loss, a downsizing or termination is also a step forward. Pivots are opportunities in disguise—a chance to step back, realign, and design a future that feels more authentic and fulfilling.
If you’ve recently been fired, let go, or been part of layoffs, here’s how to navigate career pivots with clarity, confidence, and resilience.
Step 1: Pause and Reflect
Before rushing into applying for jobs or scrolling endlessly through LinkedIn, give yourself permission to pause. Pausing isn’t about giving up—it’s about creating space to reflect on what you really want moving forward.
Ask yourself:
What did I love (and dislike) about my previous role?
What values do I want my next role to align with?
What kind of leader do I want to become in this next chapter?
Reflection isn’t about dwelling on the past—it’s about gaining clarity for your future. Journaling, working with a coach, or simply carving out quiet time can help you reconnect with your goals and values.
EXTRA PERMISSION: Give yourself the time to feel all of your feelings before you get into the reflection space. Allow yourself to feel the pain, be angry, and grieve the loss of what used to be.
Step 2: Reframe the Setback
It’s natural to view a layoff as a failure. But here’s the thing: being laid off doesn’t define your worth as a leader. It’s an external event, not an internal flaw.
Reframing your mindset is key to moving forward. Instead of focusing on what went wrong, shift your perspective:
From Loss to Opportunity: Instead of “I lost my job,” try “I now have the opportunity to realign my career with my values.”
From Failure to Growth: Focus on what this experience has taught you and how it can fuel your next steps.
From Stuck to Empowered: Remind yourself that you have the power to shape your future, even if the path looks different than you imagined.
Reframing isn’t about ignoring the challenge—it’s about turning it into a stepping stone for growth.
Step 3: Reconnect With Your Strengths
Layoffs can leave even the most accomplished leaders questioning their worth. That’s why it’s critical to reconnect with your strengths before diving into what’s next.
Start by:
· Identifying your biggest wins from previous roles.
· Reflecting on the skills and experiences that make you uniquely valuable as a leader.
· Seeking feedback from trusted colleagues or mentors to gain perspective on your strengths.
At humanKIND, we often use tools like the Integrative Enneagram (iEQ9) to help leaders rediscover their unique talents, challenges, and growth opportunities. Reconnecting with your strengths isn’t just about bolstering your confidence—it’s about grounding yourself in what you bring to the table.
Step 4: Redefine Success on Your Terms
A layoff is an opportunity to redefine what success looks like for you. Too often, leaders chase titles, salaries, or external validation, only to feel unfulfilled. This is your chance to realign with what truly matters.
Ask yourself:
What does success look like for me right now?
How can I balance my personal and professional goals in my next role?
What kind of impact do I want to have as a leader?
Redefining success isn’t about lowering your standards—it’s about creating a career that aligns with your values and vision.
Step 5: Take Intentional Action
Once you’ve reflected, reframed, and reconnected, it’s time to move forward with purpose. Intentional action is the key to building momentum and regaining confidence.
Here are a few steps to get started:
Update Your Professional Profile: Refresh your résumé and LinkedIn to showcase your unique strengths, leadership wins, and career aspirations.
Network Authentically: Reach out to connections in your industry with honesty and openness. Networking isn’t just about finding jobs—it’s about building relationships.
Work With a Coach: A coach can provide clarity, accountability, and tools to help you navigate your pivot with confidence.
Experiment and Explore: Consider opportunities like consulting, freelancing, or skill-building courses to expand your horizons and uncover new possibilities.
Get Out of Your Head: It’s easy to get stuck ruminating and playing back the past. Be intentional about creating a new schedule for yourself, reach out to friends, start a new hobby, read something uplifting.
Remember: career pivots don’t happen overnight. Every small, intentional step moves you closer to your next chapter.
Closing Thoughts: Your Pivot, Your Power
Navigating your career pivot after a layoff is an opportunity to remind yourself of your own worth.
A layoff might feel like the end of the road, but it’s really just a detour. It’s a chance to pause, reflect, and realign with a career that feels more authentic and fulfilling.
Growth happens in the messy, uncertain moments of life. Whether you’re rediscovering your purpose, rebuilding your confidence, or redefining your career, you have the power to create something incredible.
Remind yourself that your job, role, and even your career does not define your worth or who you are as a person. You are much more. It's time to start writing a new chapter.
BONUS RESOURCE: Brianna Weist’s beautiful book The Pivot Year is an inspirational book with short daily readings to help keep your mindset focused forward and on your worth. It’s helped me and is one of my favourite gifts for friends and clients going through transitions.
Ready to start your pivot?
You're not in this alone. If you're looking for some 1:1 help navigating this transition, making a plan, or having some extra accountability as you move towards your next opportunity, we’re here to help.
Explore more transition resources or book a free discovery call to create a plan that’s uniquely yours.
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