Nothing reveals a company’s culture faster than how it lets people go.

In this episode of Management Muse, Cindi Baldi talks with Collette Revere and Kim White about the importance of empathetic exits: a more intentional, humane approach to layoffs, terminations, and voluntary departures.

Too often, companies invest heavily in employee engagement while people are useful to the organization, then sever the relationship abruptly when the employment arrangement ends. That sends a clear message not only to the person leaving, but to everyone who stays.

Collette and Kim explain why exits should be treated as part of the employee lifecycle, not an awkward administrative task to rush through. They discuss the hidden costs of cold layoffs, the importance of planning before a crisis, and why departing employees can remain valuable members of an organization’s broader network.

If you want to preserve trust, protect culture, and handle employee exits in a way that reflects your actual values, don’t miss this episode.

Episode Highlights:

The history–and cost–of cold layoffs
What employees are noticing when someone leaves
How rushed terminations can damage trust, engagement, and retention
What empathetic exits look like in practice
How to handle hard decisions without burning bridges
Why every company should have an offboarding plan before a crisis hits

**EXCLUSIVE Offering for Muse Listeners: The Empathetic Exits Consultation

A 30-minute diagnostic to help organizations find relief before, during, or after employee exits and workforce transitions.

This brief diagnostic is for leaders who want a more thoughtful, human, and effective approach to exits, offboarding, layoffs, or workforce transitions. In 30 minutes, we’ll help you identify where your current process may be creating unnecessary pressure, risk, confusion, or loss and uncover the next right step.

Available exclusively in May 2026 to the first 10 Management Muse listeners who claim it.

Claim Your Spot!

About Collette Revere:

Collette Revere is the Founder and CEO of Open360™, a psychology-based leadership and development company helping organizations strengthen trust, alignment, and performance through feedback and communication. A mental health professional, certified change management practitioner, and organizational development consultant, she has spent nearly two decades helping leaders improve performance management, navigate change, and build healthier workplace culture using practical approaches grounded in behavioral science.

Connect with Collette:

Website | Linkedin

About Kim White:

With a background in I-O psychology, product leadership, and AI-driven learning, Kim White helps teams and leaders bring their WOW—Work on What Matters—into view—when they’re at pivotal moments of growth and decision-making. Together we map bold new paths, co-create what fits, and turn crossroads into pathways.

Connect with Kim:

Website | Linkedin

Watch This Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/zTG3tHa11Ns

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Want to Go Deeper? Check Out Our Recommended Reading:

Kitterman, Ted. “How to Avoid Losing Trust in the Wake of Potential Layoffs,” Great Place to Work, 18 Jul. 2022, https://www.greatplacetowork.com/resources/blog/how-to-avoid-losing-trust-in-the-wake-of-potential-layoffs
Uchitelle, Louie. The Disposable American, Penguin Random House, Apr. 2007, https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/181481/the-disposable-american-by-louis-uchitelle/

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