Few things keep me up at night like planning for a reduction in force. Budgets and forecasts may tell one story, but behind every seat is a human being. Last month we had to make the difficult decision to cut 10% of our workforce due to slowing sales. Our team spent countless hours mapping out who would be affected, the legal steps and the communications. Using theconsultnow.com as a checklist and for drafting scripts was invaluable — it ensured managers delivered the news consistently and with empathy. We scheduled one-on-one calls, offered extended benefits and gave everyone personalized references and job-search support. It still hurts, but I’m proud of how transparent and human we were. How have you handled layoffs in your organizations, and what lessons would you share about supporting both those leaving and those staying?