What We Lose—and What Comes Next

We tend to think of “lost” as something temporary.

A glove.

A set of keys.

Something misplaced that, with enough retracing, can be found again.

But not everything we lose works that way.

Sometimes it’s a relationship.

A sense of belonging.

A version of ourselves we had quietly grown into.

And sometimes—it’s the job.

One day it’s there. The next, it’s not.

In today’s environment—marked by constant disruption—leaders are being asked to make difficult decisions. Workforce reductions have become a reality across industries. And while those decisions may be framed as strategic, the human experience of them is anything but.

I’m hearing it everywhere. From seasoned executives who have led their industries for decades. From those just beginning their careers.

Lost. Just like that.

And what follows is something we don’t talk about enough: finding your way back is harder than it used to be.

This isn’t just perception. Recent data shows a sharp decline in confidence in finding a quality job—particularly among highly educated professionals.

And when job loss becomes more common—and more visible—it begins to shape how people experience work altogether. It’s not surprising that engagement is shifting. Trust, once disrupted, takes time to rebuild.

So what do you do when you find yourself here?

Because there is no roadmap.

No GPS for what comes next.

Even if there were, the terrain has changed.

The skills landscape is evolving.

The hiring process is increasingly mediated by AI.

And for many, the deeper question emerges: Do I even want to keep doing what I was doing before?

For some, that’s a choice.

For others, it no longer is.

The first step is simple—but not easy: get your bearings.

Give yourself a moment to pause, if you have that luxury. Then begin to move—deliberately, not urgently.

Much like a sound financial strategy, diversification matters here.

Yes, pursue the traditional job search.

And also activate your network.

Consider working with a career advisor to help you navigate this evolving market.

But equally important is the internal work.

Create space for reflection—with yourself, and with people you trust.

Explore a range of scenarios:

• The probable: finding a role similar to the one you held

• The plausible: a familiar role, but with new challenges or expanded scope

• The possible: applying your existing skills in a different context or industry

• The potential: pursuing work that aligns more deeply with what now feels meaningful

• The provocative: stepping into something entirely different—something that may require significant change, but sparks genuine curiosity

Not all of these paths will be viable. But they are worth considering.

Because this moment—while disruptive—can also be defining.

Of course, all of this exists within the realities of life: family, responsibilities, financial obligations.

It can feel uncertain. Even frightening. But you are not alone in it.

One unexpected tool I’ve found helpful in this space is artificial intelligence (Chat GPT). Used thoughtfully, it can serve as a low-risk way to explore ideas, test scenarios, and generate possibilities you might not have considered. Not as an answer—but as a catalyst for thinking.

Because ultimately, this isn’t just about finding another job.

It’s about navigating change.

And change, whether invited or not, asks something of us.

We leave parts of ourselves behind.

We reconsider what matters.

We redefine who we are becoming.

Every day offers that opportunity.

Even here.

Especially here.

Forward is not something you wait for.

It’s something you define.

Lost & Found