Losing Your Job Can Be the Best Thing That Can Happen to You

Some time ago, I received this WhatsApp message from a client:

Tim: “Hello Manu, FYI, my last working day is Friday.”

Me: “Wow, that’s brutal. How are you?”

Tim: “I’m okay.”

Me: “Are you?”

Tim: “No. I’m scared.”

Fear Is Human – Give It Space

For most of us, losing a job isn’t just about money. It shakes our sense of identity. So much so that when it happens, we feel lost. “I feel a part of myself has been erased,” Tim shared.

In a society where ‘What do you do for a living?’ is the first question people ask, it’s no wonder that a career crisis undermines our sense of personal value.

Of course, Tim is much more than his job title. But it’s easy to forget that, and losing it is scary.

Tim didn’t rush to escape the fear. He was fortunate to receive a severance package that eased the pressure of his expenses. So instead of jumping into job hunting or seeking excessive distractions, he chose to take some time and FACE IT. The hardest part, he said, was sharing his fear with his loved ones. But by giving it space, the fear didn’t take over. And once he processed his emotions, he found that the fear made room for something new.

Enjoy the Silence

After the fear came stillness. And in that stillness, Tim discovered something unexpected: CURIOSITY.

Losing his job forced him to confront deeper personal questions:

Who am I beyond my title?

What do I truly care about in life?

How can the world best use my skills?

What do people value about me?

Facing questions he’d set aside a long time ago was difficult. But it helped. Tim rediscovered parts of himself he had forgotten. He touched the essence of who he is and what should be at the foundation of his leadership.

The Idendity Shift

Two months later, Tim is ready to step back into the job market—this time with a deeper understanding of himself. He knows he is more than his job. He carries skills, personal values, aspirations, and fears, all of which shape his identity as a senior corporate leader and as a father.

The chance for self-exploration became an unexpected gift - an opportunity to shift towards what truly matters. Being in tune with his identity has given Tim a stronger foundation for a more grounded and inspiring leadership.

During our last conversation, Tim shared an insight that said it all:

“Maybe the real transformation wasn’t about stepping back into the market with stronger roots—it was about stepping into life more aligned with who I am.”

So if that moment comes, take a breath. 

• Acknowledge the fear.

• Stay with the silence.

• And start listening to yourself.

A new path is already unfolding.

Thanks for always reading,

Manu

Manu Henrard is a Executive Coach and an Executive Recruiter based in Brussels. Manu's professional commitment is to help leaders increase meaningful productivity and achieve inner peace. More about his coaching program here.