Because decisions are made quickly, but people process slowly.
This is not an easy time of the year for many organizations. Economic fluctuations and the rise of AI are putting pressure on budgets, roles, and priorities.
But behind every restructuring decision, there is something more important:
A person
A family
A story
A dream that was once held with pride.
In moments like these, it is easy to focus on process, timelines, and legal steps.
But this is the moment where leadership is felt the most.
Over the past few weeks, I’ve been in deep conversations with leaders as they navigate incredibly difficult decisions. And one thing stands out every time:
People don’t remember what you said. They remember how you made them feel.
This is where coaching matters. Not as a performance tool, but as a human responsibility.
Have the conversation
Listen without defending
Acknowledge the emotion
Help people understand what comes next
Even when the outcome cannot change, the experience of it can.
And that makes all the difference, for the person leaving and for the team staying.