Mass layoffs, uncertainty, and pressure to perform—this conversation tackles one of the hardest realities leaders face: guiding a team through chaos when you don’t have answers yourself.

Erik and Alli unpack what leadership actually looks like in these moments—less about strategy, more about humanity. From one-on-one conversations to sitting in discomfort, this episode challenges the instinct to “fix” and instead reframes leadership as presence, trust, and intentional communication.

🧭 Conversation Highlights

Lead One Human at a Time
In moments of disruption, mass communication isn’t enough. Real leadership happens in one-on-one conversations where people feel seen and heard.
Resist the Urge to Solve Too Fast
The instinct to fix everything immediately can backfire. Leaders need to create space before jumping into solutions.
“Sit in the Suck” Is a Strategy
Avoiding discomfort delays progress. Acknowledging frustration, anger, and uncertainty is a necessary step—not a weakness.
Different People, Different Reactions
Not everyone experiences layoffs the same way—some feel fear, others relief, others guilt. Leadership requires listening, not projecting.
Vulnerability Builds Trust—If Done Right
Leaders don’t need all the answers, but they do need honesty. Sharing uncertainty (without spiraling) strengthens credibility.

💡 Key Takeaways

Connection beats communication. People don’t need perfect answers—they need to feel understood.
Listening is the leadership move. Especially when you don’t have control, your presence matters more than your solutions.
Emotions aren’t a distraction—they’re the work. Ignoring them creates bigger problems later.
Preparation isn’t just tactical—it’s relational. Trust built before a crisis determines how well you lead through it.
Great leaders run toward the fire. Avoidance erodes trust. Presence builds it.

❓ Questions That Mattered

What would you want from your manager if you were still there after layoffs?
How do you lead when you don’t have answers?
Are you listening to your team—or projecting your own fears onto them?
What happens when empathy turns into avoidance?
How do you prepare for a crisis you can’t predict?
What impact is your team actually making—and who knows about it?
If cuts happened tomorrow, who would be most at risk—and why?
Where have you avoided giving feedback that could have changed someone’s trajectory?

🗣️ Notable Quotes

“You don’t have the answers—and that might be the thing that earns you the most trust.”
“When something catastrophic happens, it requires a one-on-one human touch.”
“Sit in the suck before you try to solve it.”
“Just because you feel something doesn’t mean your team feels the same way.”
“The best leaders run into the fire—and treat the humans in it with them appropriately.”

🔗 Links & Resources

Listen to other episodes co-hosted with Alli

145: "What Would You Want From Your Manager If You Survived a Layoff?" ft. Alli Murphy