Redundancy is one of life’s sharpest, ouchiest (real word) curveballs. Even when the rumours circulate or logic tells us “it could happen,” the moment itself still lands with weight. It interrupts our routines, our identity, our sense of stability. But while redundancy is undeniably hard, it can also become a turning point, a moment to pause, reassess and rebuild with intention. This five-step framework is designed to guide you from shock to clarity, from stuckness to forward motion, and ultimately to thriving again.

Change can come slowly and then suddenly, an (expected) announcement, a (rumoured) restructure, a (much talked about) takeover, and then you are in suspense as redundancy consultations that aren’t yet confirmed but loom in the air. It creates a space of liminality: that uncomfortable in-between where nothing is clear, emotions run high, and our minds race faster than facts can keep up.

The next time disappointment shows up, whether it’s yours or someone else’s, don’t push it away. Make space for it. Honour it. That space is often all that’s needed for healing to begin that will mean you can reenergise and move forwards again eventually.

When people hear I’ve written two books, Why Losing Your Job Could Be the Best Thing That Ever Happened to You (2020) and Another Door Opens (2025), they sometimes ask the question:

“What’s the difference between them?”

Being offered voluntary redundancy can feel like both a curveball and an opportunity. Whether it’s a corporate restructure or early retirement offer, the decision can shape the next chapter of your life. Do you take the package and leap into the unknown, or stick with the familiar?

As AI automates more tasks, many traditional jobs are likely to evolve, disappear, or become deeply intertwined with technology. However, new roles will emerge, and some will become more important than ever. I asked AI what it thinks the future of work might look. Here’s what it said.

When we react with our perspective or even quiet judgment, we’re not just shutting down empathy for others, we’re limiting it for ourselves.