Chief Change Officer Podcast Episode #349 Summary Guest: Benedikt Oehmen
Title: Layoffs, Level-Ups, and the ‘Big Three’ for Starting Over
Release Date: May 6, 2025
Host: Vince Chan

Introduction

In Episode #349 of the Chief Change Officer podcast, host Vince Chan welcomes Benedikt Oehmen, a seasoned professional who navigated a 17-year journey with Blizzard Entertainment. This episode delves deep into Benedikt’s experiences with corporate loyalty, the impact of layoffs and restructuring, and his transformative path towards building a coaching practice aimed at helping others manage career transitions effectively.

Benedikt’s Journey with Blizzard Entertainment

Early Career and Growth
Benedikt begins by sharing his origins from western Germany, near Cologne and Düsseldorf. In 2001, he moved to Heidelberg to study physics, a field he later reevaluated with the encouragement of his brother. Inspired by his passion for gaming and Blizzard, he took a semester off to join the company in France, near Paris.

Benedikt Oehmen ([03:50]):
"I loved it so much that what was meant to be a semester off quickly became a year, and eventually, 17 years at Blizzard."

Starting in customer support for World of Warcraft, Benedikt transitioned into community management and communications. He became the vital link between the gaming community and developers, managing interactions across multiple European languages.

Benedikt Oehmen ([06:27]):
"We tried to get the game closer to the players and understand the players’ needs better to feed that back to the developers."

Cultivating a Family-Like Culture
Benedikt highlights the strong sense of community at Blizzard, describing it as a "second family." The shared passion for gaming fostered close-knit relationships, both professionally and socially.

Challenges and Corporate Restructuring

Merger with Activision and Shift in Priorities
After 13 years, Blizzard's merger with Activision marked a significant turning point. The company’s focus shifted from enhancing player experiences to prioritizing financial growth and rapid expansion.

Benedikt Oehmen ([06:27]):
"The priorities for Blizzard started to shift from making the most epic experiences with gamers to making more money and growing the graph quickly."

First Wave of Layoffs (2018)
In 2018, Blizzard announced a 30% reduction in staff at the Versailles office. This decision was met with shock and emotional turmoil among employees who had long viewed themselves as part of a family.

Benedikt Oehmen ([14:00]):
"We were to say goodbye to a third of that family. It was a really hard time for everybody involved."

Second Wave and Closure of Versailles Office (2020)
The second major layoff in 2020 culminated in the closure of the Versailles office. Benedikt took proactive steps to support his remaining team, focusing on the five stages of grief and preparing them for future transitions.

Benedikt Oehmen ([13:55]):
"We all have to go through these five stages of grief again, but we'll come out of it on the other side."

Transitioning to Coaching

Finding a New Purpose
Facing uncertainty after the office closure, Benedikt began exploring coaching techniques. His efforts to empower his team through workshops and coaching sessions sparked a personal revelation about his passion for helping others navigate career transitions.

Benedikt Oehmen ([16:11]):
"Coaching really resonates with me—listening to people where they are and exploring possibilities together."

Establishing a Coaching Practice
Motivated by his experiences and newfound passion, Benedikt pursued professional coaching certifications. He realized the freedom and fulfillment that came with being his own boss, allowing him to work with like-minded individuals who share his values.

Benedikt Oehmen ([16:11]):
"I'm not bound to a corporate overlord anymore. I have the freedom to work with people who share the same values."

The Big Three Framework

Introduction to the Big Three
Benedikt introduces his proprietary framework, the Big Three, developed during his transition from Blizzard to his coaching career. The Big Three consists of three core principles: Kind, Present, and Open.

Benedikt Oehmen ([24:27]):
"The Big Three is a framework where being kind, present, and open allows everything else to fall into place."

1. Being Kind

• Self-Acceptance and Positivity: Emphasizes embracing one’s strengths and acknowledging what one has, rather than focusing on perceived shortcomings.

  Benedikt Oehmen ([24:49]):
  "Being kind is about self-acceptance and embracing the good things in our life."

2. Being Present

• Self-Motivation and Awareness: Focuses on understanding one’s current position, future goals, and the personal growth required to achieve them.

  Benedikt Oehmen ([24:49]):
  "Being present is about enabling self-motivated behavior and understanding where you want to go."

3. Being Open

• Adaptability and Growth: Encourages the establishment of systems and habits that facilitate continuous personal development and adaptability.

  Benedikt Oehmen ([24:49]):
  "Being open involves putting systems and habits into place to become the person who overcomes challenges."

Application of the Big Three

Benedikt shares how he applied the Big Three in various aspects of his life, including writing his book. By breaking down daunting tasks into manageable steps aligned with the Big Three, he successfully achieved significant milestones.

Benedikt Oehmen ([24:49]):
"I reframed writing a book into becoming an author, doing a little bit every day, which made the process manageable and achievable."

Insights on Career Transitions

Perception and Mindset
Benedikt emphasizes that the way individuals perceive career transitions greatly influences their experience. Viewing transitions as opportunities rather than setbacks can transform the process into a pathway for growth and fulfillment.

Benedikt Oehmen ([20:52]):
"It comes down to your point of view and how you choose to engage with the event in your life."

Building Resilience
He advocates for developing resilience by preparing for potential changes proactively. This involves identifying passions, acquiring relevant skills, and maintaining a forward-thinking mindset.

Benedikt Oehmen ([20:52]):
"Nothing is 100% safe, and building resilience helps you prepare for inevitable changes."

Facilitating Quick Recovery
By adopting a positive outlook and focusing on future possibilities, individuals can navigate the five stages of grief more swiftly and emerge stronger from career disruptions.

Benedikt Oehmen ([20:52]):
"If you look at change as exciting, you can get through the five stages of grief much more quickly."

Conclusion

Benedikt Oehmen’s story is a testament to resilience and the transformative power of a positive mindset during career transitions. Through his Big Three framework, he equips individuals with the tools to not only cope with change but to leverage it for personal and professional growth. His journey from a loyal Blizzard employee to a dedicated coach underscores the essence of outgrowing oneself by embracing change ambitiously.

Notable Quotes

1. On Loyalty and Growth at Blizzard

   “I loved it so much that what was meant to be a semester off quickly became a year, and eventually, 17 years at Blizzard.”
   — Benedikt Oehmen ([03:50])

2. On the Impact of Corporate Restructuring

   “The priorities for Blizzard started to shift from making the most epic experiences with gamers to making more money and growing the graph quickly.”
   — Benedikt Oehmen ([06:27])

3. On Transitioning to Coaching

   “Coaching really resonates with me—listening to people where they are and exploring possibilities together.”
   — Benedikt Oehmen ([16:11])

4. On the Big Three Framework

   “The Big Three is a framework where being kind, present, and open allows everything else to fall into place.”
   — Benedikt Oehmen ([24:27])

5. On Viewing Career Transitions as Opportunities

   “It comes down to your point of view and how you choose to engage with the event in your life.”
   — Benedikt Oehmen ([20:52])

Join the Community

If you found Benedikt’s insights valuable, subscribe to the Chief Change Officer podcast on LinkedIn, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Follow Vince Chan @chiefchangeofficer to stay updated with transformative conversations that blend logic and love, art and science.