The Visual8

Fear is not fun.

Industry-wide layoffs in the tech industry have pushed friends to share their concerns.

Getting wrapped up in a workforce reduction is one thing. But when it happens across the industry, it comes with a lot more unsettled feelings.

Because if it wasn’t your time, it might be soon. And there may not be an easy spot to land. That harsh reality of rising bills and declining severance drives up anxiety.

It has happened to people you know. Which makes it easy to imagine for yourself. It is palpable for all.

A month ago, a friend expressed that he “felt quite vulnerable” with this uncertainty. Especially since colleagues who were recently let go were top talent in a fast growing market.

Admittedly, my reaction was not thought through. But it did come straight from the heart.

Do you mean that you are exposed, or vulnerable?

He adjusted his language. Then the conversation went onto where to place the sandbags before the next storm.

Exposed is a legitimate outside-in condition. It’s breathes objective reality. A walk down a treeless path exposes you to the sun. Driving without seat belts exposures you to bodily harm in a crash. Working in a non-traditional way without air-cover from your boss is political exposure.

There are possible negative consequences attached to each.

Vulnerability is a choice

Vulnerability is an inside-out condition. It dances in subjective reality.

Brené Brown stands as the thought leader and scholar on vulnerability. Her work shows how we can find reward in letting our guard down.

Her teachings have informed my world view that vulnerability is choice. A choice to risk emotional harm for the chance to grow. To become closer to others.

We can build walls to protect our inner self.

The Ego uses many tools. Withdrawal is one. Cynicism is another. Role playing a third. They work because they offer psychological safety. But a tree will only grow as big as the pot where it is planted.

The better question

My friend, Dan Morman, has fellow-coach as a friend. Tomi Bryan shared her wisdom, spoken by many before her, but not quite in the same way. “It is better to ask ‘what is the Universe is doing for me, and not to me.’” (paraphrasing).

This reframing dials down the tone of victimization. It suggests that hurricanes are not premediated. They are forces of nature blind to the people in their path.

We reduce our exposure to storm surges by building houses on stilts. But it is only a reduction, not an elimination.

In times of industry-wide layoffs, we can reduce our exposure, too.

Focus on the highest impact activities. Communicate value to key decision makers. Defer big purchase decisions. These reduce the exposure, not eliminate it.

150 mph winds can take you out of the business, even if you are doing your best work.

There is heroic bravery in maintaining vulnerability when the exposure increases. Because this exposure hides in the fog of uncertainty. We cannot see what is to come or where to place the sandbags.

To my friends, known and not yet known, in the tech industry, I say this.

First, we are not the first industry to be disrupted. Farmers, manufacturing tradesmen, and those engaged up in the energy industry, have all stared down creative destruction. We are in good company.

Second, neighbors help neighbors after disaster strikes. After Hurricane Harvey, the able-bodied drove boats in the streets of Houston to rescue the elderly and infirm. Even if you have been displaced, volunteer. There is a powerful feeling in helping others.

Third, keep your heart open. Acknowledge hard feelings. Don’t push them away. But don’t embrace them either. Failure is no different than success. It’s temporary.

I have every confidence that you will find the courage to remain vulnerable in the face of uncertainty. Because you are greater than even you know.