Last October is going to be repeated in Q3. Every organization has significant financial targets to hit. How each organization will meet these budget targets will vary: cut the highest salaries, give back/freeze positions, reorg and trim down groups… no one is safe. The varied approaches is what makes it seem haphazard and like there is some deep conspiracy.
(And maybe there is). But instead of speculating, let’s deal with two hard facts: 1. We all have dollar signs over our heads and these dollars hit a bottom line for running a business. This is the ugly underbelly of “it’s just business”. But good people know it isn’t. We spend more time at work than we do with our own family sometimes. We care, know what must be done, and hold ourselves accountable. 2. We get paid to deliver value. Not all of us are sitting on mute in meetings, cruising/avoiding work, and getting by with the minimum waiting for a severance. So what that the leader su-ks and that things are above your pay grade. Work is work.
Whether you are invited to ‘pursue other career opportunities’ or stick with the company. Make the choice to make business more than dollars. Instead of waiting for changes to happen, take proactive steps. Don’t let fear dictate your actions. Instead, engage and strive to create value wherever you are. You can navigate these challenges and emerge stronger. Our value isn’t in a role, title, or salary. Change ain’t easy. But remaining in a mess and blaming others ain’t going to get us where we want to go.