The Real Reason Leaders Feel So Alone — and How to Fix It

Being told you have to lay someone off is one of the hardest moments in leadership — especially when the decision wasn’t yours. In this episode of Leadership, Actually, we walk through how to approach that moment with clarity, steadiness, and humanity.You’ll learn what to do immediately after you’re informed, how to prepare yourself and the conversation, and how to support both the departing employee and the team that remains.What We Cover• Why your first step is getting clarity — not reacting • What questions to ask your HR and legal partners • Why you need training, scripts, and clear expectations from HR • What your role is in a layoff conversation • What your role is not (including what you should never improvise) • How to deliver the message in a grounded, compassionate way • How to handle emotional reactions without getting overwhelmed or defensive • What support the employee should receive: severance, benefits, EAP, and outplacement • How to communicate with the remaining team • Why leaders need to care for themselves after a layoff, tooThis is a practical, human-centered guide for leaders who want to navigate layoffs with clarity — even when the decision is out of their hands.✨ Lead Better 1:1s, Team Meetings & More with these FREEBIESPractical guides, toolkits, and resources for leading better meetings, holding better 1:1s and having hard conversations. 👉 Sign up herehttps://everground-advisory.myflodesk.com/1-1-freebies📊 FREE HR Layoff Crash CourseIn this free course, you'll discover step-by-step strategies to plan, communicate, and execute layoffs with professionalism and empathy. Self-paced and available 24/7.👉 Register herehttps://semerie.learnworlds.com/course/hr-layoff-crash-course🌀 Lead Differently. Read Differently.Join This Isn’t a Leadership Book Club — a free, low-pressure community for curious, thoughtful leaders who believe the best leadership lessons come from unexpected stories.You’ll get a curated reading list, reflection prompts, and invites to quarterly conversations designed to help you lead with more clarity, care, and intention.👉 [Join the Book Club Here]https://everground-advisory.myflodesk.com/this-is-not-a-leadership-bookclub✨ Lead Like YouA three-month private coaching experience that helps leaders uncover their authentic leadership style, build confidence, and navigate challenges with clarity and intention.Get an exclusive discount with the code PODCAST10 for 10% off👉 Start nowhttps://www.evergroundadvisory.com/lead-like-youJoin 12 Months of Leadership Mastery — a completely free 12-month program designed for leaders and founders who want to grow with clarity, confidence, and purpose.✨ Get monthly themes, reflection prompts, and live leadership trainings — all free. https://everground-advisory.myflodesk.com/12-months-leadership-opt-in