From Breakdown to Breakthrough: What Getting Fired Can Teach Us About Resilience
Layoffs. Downsizing. Restructuring. Redundancy. No matter how it’s phrased, losing your job is never easy. It can spark panic, grief, fear. But sometimes, and oftentimes, it can spark freedom.
It’s no coincidence that Chapter 11 of Thriving in Chaos: Lessons Learned as a Corporate Marketer, is titled: “You’re Fired! Now What?” In it, Joanne Gore shares a deeply personal and timely reflection on getting fired, multiple times. What makes her story so compelling isn’t just the job loss itself, but how each exit became an unexpected doorway into new opportunity and growth.
From sobbing at a bus stop to receiving the dreaded call (hours before picking up her new car) during the dot-com bust, Joanne takes us through the raw emotions and hard-earned lessons that shaped her professional journey. Each experience added a layer to her resilience, to sharpen her instincts and strengthen her support network. Whether it was a scrappy startup or a global enterprise, the underlying truth remained the same: change is constant and survivable.
Reframing Rejection: From Fired to Future-Focused
Joanne learned to survive layoffs and anticipate them. She spotted the red flags: closed-door meetings, expense scrutiny, and a sudden rise in manila envelopes. Most importantly, she created systems to prepare for change, not panic over it.
What does that look like?
- Keep a record of wins and lessons through weekly APITs (Accomplishments, Priorities, Issues, Travel).
- Update LinkedIn and your resumé while you’re still employed.
- Have open conversations with managers about how you’re adding value and where you can grow.
- Build a network you can rely on before you need it.
It’s about being proactive, not paranoid. The minute you begin to feel “indispensable” you’ve already taken your foot off the gas. And in today’s ever-shifting business landscape, comfort can be a career risk.
Joanne’s advice? Lean on your LinkedIn community. Start documenting. Share your journey. If you’ve just been let go, post about your next chapter with intention. LinkedIn reflects who you are and what you’re capable of becoming. If you’re honest, authentic, and ready to grow – you will find support (and maybe even your next job).
Being let go might feel like rejection, but it’s often a redirection. As mental health becomes more central in the conversation around career development and professional sustainability, stories like Joanne’s are a reminder that we can thrive because of the chaos – not in spite of it.
“The minute you start to have thoughts about being indispensable to the company, that’s when the exit clock starts ticking.” – Joanne Gore
You’re not irreplaceable. And that’s not a bad thing. It’s a reminder to stay sharp, stay connected, and stay open to change. Because when you expect change, it stops being the enemy and starts becoming your greatest teacher.
🤸Joanne’s Tip for Better Business
Build your identity around your transferable value instead of the job title.
Whether you’re a VP or an intern, your core competencies – strategy, communication, leadership, marketing, innovation – travel with you. What makes you great at your job isn’t the work. It’s you.
Join our July 30 Webinar: “Leading with Resilience: How Mindset, Mental Health & LinkedIn Shape Your Next Chapter”
with David Rosendahl.
REGISTER HERE: Leading with Resilience: Mindset, Mental Health and LinkedIn
You’ll learn how to use mindset shifts, community support, and online presence as tools for healing, clarity, and momentum.
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This blog is brought to you by Chapter 11 of Thriving in Chaos: Lessons Learned as a Corporate Marketer, available now on Amazon.
