Theo was fired. He was a project manager at a road construction company and he wasn't performing. Or rather: under his leadership, the costs of a section of highway skyrocketed. So Theo was fired. That's how these things go, you say.
But Theo, he's furious. The fault wasn't his but a subcontractor's. Or something like that. I don't know exactly. Theo's story is rather complicated. I can't make head or tail of it anyway.
Besides being furious, Theo is also aggressive and vengeful. He has started drinking excessively because that helps him through. He is working like a madman to straighten out his image by telling his truth everywhere. And he is preparing a lawsuit. A trip to court.
I would personally like to rip that poisonous sting out of Theo's body.
Layoffs are one of the downsides of your job. Every manager has their turn. You too. If it happens to you, it is important that you understand why you were laid off.
There is always a "why" and it is a different "why" than the argument in the resignation letter. You have to see and understand the real reason. In general:
Follow the money and you will understand
'Understanding' puts things into perspective. In fact, understanding helps you to return to the work process.
Theo, for example, probably wasn't fired because of his mismanagement. He didn't make a big calculation error. He didn't choose the wrong contractor either. He just didn't make any mistakes. It could have been better, but it can always be better and it can be better until you retire.
Theo was simply sacrificed. To set an example or as a signal to the client – the government in this case.
Follow the money. It's a political game. Politics as in: power and interests. That's what happened to Theo. And he needs to understand that.
You can also be fired because of personality clashes. The board is rigid while you excel at improvisation, for example. And the board is rigid because of the shareholders. Follow the money.
Or: you have been fired because your working methods do not fit the structure of the company.
You find it inefficient. Or they find you cumbersome. In addition, they are looking for a euphemism for your dismissal.
You can be declared redundant. Actively mobile. Or your function is 'unclear'.
You have decided 'in good consultation' to 'end the collaboration', which is of course not true, but that doesn't matter.
Anyway, getting fired is the other side of your job.
Job – dismissal. Dismissal – job
As a business mentor, I know of horror layoffs that Stephen King would think: unbelievable for my book. In terms of layoffs, no mercy is the norm. Near-retirees get laid off. Terminally ill people get laid off. Employees get laid off while they are abroad with their families. Nick – a respected CEO – got laid off while on a business trip.
The board had not only immediately cancelled the hotel, but also the flight ticket back home and of course the credit card had also been blocked.
Nobody hated Nick. It just stopped for him and that was it.
Theo's attitude is unjustified. That anger is not appropriate, because it is not about him. Theo's resentment must be buried. The bottle must be sealed.
Layoffs are something that happens to every manager sooner or later. Deal with it. Holding on is always a bad idea and there is no happiness in venom. Winning is knowing when a fight is worth fighting and when it is not.
There are hundreds of jobs out there that would suit you better than the one you left behind.
Life – all in all – becomes better with change.
Hans Ruinemans, boardroom monk