4 ways to survive -- then thrive -- after a job loss

Tony-award-winning Broadway star Chita Rivera passed this week at 91, and leaders can learn a lot from the tireless dancer, singer and actor, including a belief that you can continually improve yourself and get ahead through collaboration instead of competition, writes actor Shannon Cudd. "In 2005, she told the New York Times that she still considered herself 'a chorus dancer who went through the whole race,' which gave her the foundation to be able to tackle any role that came her way," Cudd writes.

Put it into practice: Rivera spent much of her career mentoring up-and-coming performers and was under no illusion that she would last forever on the stage, Cudd writes. "Every moment could be the one when you drop dead, and every day is the first day of the rest of your life," Rivera told HBR.

Losing your job -- whether in a layoff or otherwise -- can be a shock to the system, writes management consultant Marc Cugnon, who recommends not spending all your free time job hunting, being careful to not take out your frustrations on those around you and instead being open to others who may offer suggestions and networking possibilities. "I learned that no connection is bad when you're hunting for a fulfilling role, and sometimes, the best ones aren't what you anticipated," Cugnon notes.

Put it into practice: It's easy to be discouraged after a job loss, Cugnon writes, but it also offers an opportunity "to pause, recalibrate and determine what you truly want for the future (as hard as it might be)." "While the introspection necessary to uncover the correct next step can be anxiety-inducing, it will also serve you well in landing somewhere that feels like home."

Employees and other stakeholders want to hear from executives -- including board directors -- on important issues that may affect them directly, which means a crisis communication plan should be in place and each issue evaluated for relevance and how speaking out will affect a company's reputation and relationships, writes David Grossman. "All stakeholders -- and especially employees -- look to top leadership for cues on what matters to the company and what the corporate values are," Grossman notes.

Put it into practice: Before commenting publicly on any issue, executives must consider how their message will impact various stakeholders, including employees, customers, shareholders, suppliers or investors, Grossman writes. "All of these groups should be continuously evaluated in terms of the implications of communicating on any given topic."

Writing a manifesto about your values and demonstrating conviction and strength are among actions executives can take to develop a stronger leadership presence, said author Rob Biesenbach during a recent "S&T Live," PRSA's monthly LinkedIn livestream. "Telling our own stories is critical … nobody else has your specific story. That's how you stand out from the competition. That's how you get remembered."

Israeli photographer Or Adar's aerial image of a mass protest against a government plan to overhaul the court system has won the 2023 Drone Photo Awards. Other award-winning images include a breathtaking photo of tightrope walker Nathan Paulin successfully traversing France's Aravis Range 1.5 miles above the ground, an elephant asleep on its side and a shot of the drought-riddled Colorado River basin that looks like drying lungs.

Mark Reinbold, vice president of global sustainable infrastructure at Johnson Controls, explains how business executives and other experts are factoring infrastructure into their sustainability strategies. Reinbold shares some of the key findings from research about smart building trends and outlines the role technologies like artificial intelligence are playing amid the expansion of the concept of net zero buildings-as-a-service.

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It's never easy to survive a job loss, whether it's through layoffs or other means. The feelings of shock, despair and panic are real and should be honored. Then, as Marc Cugnon writes, we must pick ourselves up and start again.

If you have the luxury, this could be a time to change your career direction and start something new. If you don't have that luxury, Cugnon still recommends doing constructive things with your time other than endlessly shooting off resumes into the ether. Spending your time networking and, as Cugnon notes, accepting help from unexpected places may be just what's needed to open up new opportunities.

How have you coped with and recovered from a job loss? Tell me about it.

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