Layoffs Aren’t Inevitable

The agency that should've been. The choice to be a leader.

Layoffs are often framed as an unfortunate but inevitable part of business. A tough but necessary decision. A numbers game. A reality of market downturns, shifting strategies, and cost-cutting measures.

But here’s the truth: Layoffs don’t just happen. They are a leadership decision.

Yes, sometimes businesses must adjust. Priorities shift. Market conditions change. But how companies navigate these changes isn’t set in stone—it’s a choice. And more often than not, companies default to eliminating roles without exploring the one thing that could make layoffs less harmful: giving employees agency over their own future.

Agency means having the ability to participate in decisions that affect your own career. It means being given options, rather than just being handed an outcome.

In the context of layoffs, it means:

✅ Clear, honest communication about potential risks before a decision is finalized

✅ Opportunities to transition into new roles or teams when restructuring occurs

✅ Discussions about al…