Here's how you can maintain productivity and proactivity during a layoff.

Layoff can be very harsh, but you have to maintain positivity. Consider layoff as a change and change is always challenging and “uncomfortable”. Change is opportunity and when we are uncomfortable growth happens.

Being positive doesn’t mean ignoring reality or the tough messages. Acknowledge that layoffs are difficult and empathise with those affected. Focus on the long-term positives for the business and individuals: how change can lead to better outcomes, greater impact, more efficiency, and an improved work experience. Emphasise the support you will provide, helping individuals recognise their valuable skillsets and competitiveness both internally and externally. Remind them that many of us will work for multiple companies, and as one door closes, another often opens, bringing new opportunities.

Layoffs can cause confusion and loss of confidence. Its important to take time to write down all your achievement's and reflect on your strengths and limitations. Once you establish your strengths and achievements you can think about what value you will bring to your next employer. Ensure you leave on good terms and try to establish a strong parting narrative to help your confidence moving forward and maintain excellent internal relationships as these may come in useful in the future.

Your team is looking to you for not only transparency of information but also for how to react. Explain what you can, when you can. Make sure that you have started processing what happened yourself with a peer, mentor, or personal connection before you ask your team to process. That way, you can be supportive to their needs and not ignore your own as you try to showcase how they should react through your own actions. A leader sets the tone for their team; make sure yours feels authentic.

Communicating openly means repeating simple, clear messages multiple times, as people often need to hear things repeatedly to understand. Be genuinely open, avoiding management jargon and party lines. Be human: listen and engage. When you have answers, give them clearly and simply. When you don’t, be honest and indicate how you will find the answers. Recognise that people will experience the SARAH (Shock, Anger, Rejection, Acceptance, Healing) emotion curve, and some negative feedback is inevitable. Stay level-headed and empathetic, but don’t let negativity drag others down.

This isn’t just about productivity - but also trust and morale. Open communication about the layoff and future plans is crucial. New managers should quickly get to know their teams, understanding their roles and concerns. Provide mental health resources and career coaching to support employees through the transition. Regularly recognize and appreciate the contributions of remaining team members, and offer opportunities for skill development and career advancement. Foster a sense of community with team-building activities and open feedback forums. Ignoring the remaining team can lead to disengagement and reduced performance, ultimately harming the company. Stay connected and supportive to rebuild trust and ensure a motivated workforce.

In my view as a leader gaining positive power can help in maintaining productivity during layoffs and way 2 gain a positive power is as follows 1. Stepping into uncertainty areas be the first mover and take initiative to find an effective solution for the challenge faced by the community 2 create dependency by effective performances and having specialised knowledge 3 sharing scare resources like finance and other information which is used in the decision making process 4 making a direct appeal by persuasion and empathy 5 build Coalition & expand network Build a network such a way that you should be connected with all the heads of the department who is involved in decision making processes

Keep your daily routine. Nothing is worse than to fall back from whats going on. If you consider the newly won free-time as a job, it helps you to keep your daily routine and being active in order to keep your career on track.