Fear

Lately I've ben catching up with a number of friends and former colleagues who are facing the looming spectre of redundancy, some through choice and others against their will. Today's blog is for those special people, whose next adventure, however daunting it seems now, will eclipse the one that they're leaving behind.

It never ceases to amaze me how lots of organisations, despite having a great deal of practice in restructuring and letting people go, can create such a consistently awful experience for people who have, in many cases, given a huge portion of their life and a great deal of discretionary effort to the company. I don't doubt that it can't be easy to make the decision to cull a department or let an individual go, but once that course of action has been selected, some businesses seem to lose all humanity and can seriously taint the experience and, in some cases significantly damage the morale and self confidence of the individual they are getting rid of, right at the time when that self confidence is most needed.

Fire as a metaphor for fear

Leaving a company, especially when you've been there for a significant part of your working life, can be a scary prospect, particularly if you've got nothing else lined up to walk into. Fear of financial challenges. Fear of what's next. Fear of the loss of structure and routine. Fear that your skills and experience might not be in demand or valuable to another organisation. Fear has many dimensions, some rational and others less so.

Cus D’Amato, legendary boxing trainer who worked most famously with Mike Tyson and Floyd Patterson, once said, “Fear is like fire. It can cook for you; it can heat your house. Or it can burn you down.” It’s a powerful metaphor—and one that resonates when we face moments of profound professional change, like redundancy or job loss. When redundancy hits, fear often shows up first and rarely knocks politely—it barges in. It brings with it anxiety, shame, and uncertainty. It questions your value. It magnifies the unknown. And for many, it threatens to consume.

But what if we viewed fear differently? What if, instead of seeing it as the enemy, we treated it as a tool? Fire, unmanaged, is dangerous. But when handled with care and purpose, it becomes essential to life. Fear is no different. It can paralyse us—or it can energise us. It all depends on how we choose to engage with it.

I’ve coached leaders navigating redundancy—both those delivering the message and those receiving it. The emotional toll on both sides is real. But amidst the uncertainty, one truth consistently emerges: fear, when harnessed with intention, can become the starting point of powerful transformation.

For the individual, job loss can be devastating. But it also creates space—space to reflect, to reassess, and to reimagine. It’s in these uncomfortable in-between moments that many rediscover their core strengths, redefine their purpose, and ultimately choose a path that better aligns with who they are.

For leaders supporting others through redundancy, the metaphor still holds. You are dealing with fire. Mishandled, the fear your people feel can ignite resentment, mistrust, and disengagement. But when approached with empathy, transparency, and care, you can help others see beyond the immediate loss to the potential for growth.

So how do we manage fear like fire?

1. Acknowledge it – Pretending fear doesn’t exist only gives it more power. Don't push it down or try to run from it. Name it. Normalise it. Give it space to breathe.

2. Channel it – Use the energy fear brings to move. Take action, however small. Update your CV. Reach out to a mentor. Capture your thoughts, feelings and reflections in a journal. Get a coach. Think about what you want the next phase of your life to look like, both inside and outside of work. Start imagining the next chapter.

3. Lead through it – Whether leading yourself or others, remember: leadership is most needed in the fog. Be clear, be kind, and be courageous.

Redundancy is not the end—it’s a change in direction. And fear? It’s your fuel. Let it guide you, not govern you. Because when we learn to manage the fire, rather than fear it, we discover we’re capable of more than we ever believed.

If you're facing redundancy and in a place of fear and I can help in any way, please reach out. I'm always glad to help!