Job Insecurity Is Common—You’re Not Alone
When downsizing looms, it’s natural to feel unsettled. In fact, over 1,000 Americans lose their job every hour—many who were performing well. Job loss is a widespread reality, not a personal failure.
Engage Uncertainty vs. “Just Coping”
Rather than merely coping by keeping your head down, engage uncertainty. This means daring to meet change directly, drawing on two inner capacities: power and confidence.
Power = Options: Build Real Choices Into Your Career
Power at work isn’t about domination—it’s about having options. Cultivate alternatives:
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Nurture job leads and a diverse network
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Build a financial cushion to ease transitions
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Seek mentors and sponsors
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Develop side gigs or skills that broaden your prospects
These choices provide both practical and psychological strength when stability vanishes.
Confidence = Trusting Your Resourcefulness
Confidence is daring to trust your own resilience. Instead of chasing absolute security—or fearing disaster—you recognize your humanity and move agilely with change. This isn’t wishful thinking; it’s grounded self-trust.
Michael Carroll, author of Fearless at Work, reminds us that real confidence arises when we stop trying to armor ourselves and start relying on our innate resourcefulness.
Reducing Face-to-Face Time? Make Each Visit Count
Q: “Management cut back on in-person customer time and travel. How can we stay engaged?”
A: Don’t try to replace face-to-face interactions—amplify their impact. Map your customer engagement cycle and identify the moments when an in-person visit delivers maximum value. Define what that meeting should feel like for both sides.
Design a High-Impact Customer Engagement Cycle
Consider what will create the most meaningful experience:
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Host a facility tour or product demo
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Facilitate brainstorming or mind-mapping sessions
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Hold strategy-focused consultations
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Simply share a meal and connect personally
Virtual Connection Strategies that Deepen Relationships
After the high-impact touchpoint, maintain connection with tailored follow-ups:
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Two-way video tools (Zoom, Webex, Teams)
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Curated, relevant content tied to their challenges
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Regularly scheduled phone check-ins for those who prefer it “retro”
Bottom Line: Quality time beats quantity. A few intentional, high-value interactions—plus personalized virtual touchpoints—can deepen loyalty more than frequent, unfocused visits.
Jae Ellard, president of WLB Consulting Group, emphasizes focusing on quality over quantity in customer contact.
