You'll Land on Your Feet

“Write the book! Write the book! Write the book! It needs to be written, WRITE THE DARN BOOK!” That is my lovely wife “encouraging me” through the “opportunity” given to me by my employer of over 21 years as they “thanked” me for my tremendous contributions, my positive impact on the organization and the legacy I will leave as they informed me that my position had been eliminated.. Oh yeah, by the way, “the empty boxes in your `old' office are for your legacy” (that was the HR person, not my wife). So, after a few months of sorting through the “what the heck just happened?!” phase, the “outplacement offering” phase (or as I refer to it, as a Catholic, the alternative to the company saying five Our Fathers and ten Hail Marys), and the intense networking, or “how about lunch” phase, I am writing this book. It is probably best worthwhile to establish the approach of the book and clarification of expectations (mine and yours -- mostly yours): · First, I like bullet points (case in point -- bullet points already) · Second, I am a 56 year old “out placed” senior executive who anticipated retiring from the health system I loved and was passionate about for 21 years · Third, I grew up in Brooklyn, have Italian American heritage, (I can sense the stereotyping already) therefore have an inherent language impediment (so my wife says) so if certain words bother you, put the book down. f you are looking for a Harvard Business Review articulation, stop now. I promise to use #*#*# when I am really emphasizing a point (in case your kids pick up the book). I am also apt to emphasize a point using the exclamation, “OOOOHHHH!” (To be said like Paulie Walnuts from the Sopranos) · Fourth, I have an engineering degree, an MBA, and have been in manufacturing, retail, healthcare, and consumer food products, large and small business. I even worked as a shipping clerk in the Bowery in NY when I first graduated with a B.S. from Syracuse University during the Carter years. I am not a writer (which you may have figured out already) but I believe I have some perspective which you may find interesting, and even helpful.. · Fifth, although I do not profess to be an expert in what I am presenting, I have one credential which qualifies me to present this content --these are my reflections of what I have gone through since being dumped ( OOOOHHHH! that was how my mother referred to my situation to her 80 year old friends from the old neighborhood…gotta love her!). I did not have to get approval by a committee, board member, or CEO, to share this information in the format I chose (Wow! That was liberating). Of course my wife has approved everything I wrote. · Sixth, even at the time of writing this book, I am still not completely “over” having lost my position (which I believe you will find is not unusual). If you detect some occasional sarcasm and/or bitterness in some of the dialogue, then obviously you are sharp as a tack, however, it is my intent to minimize these elements. · Seventh, this book is not simply a “how to” book on starting over, finding a new career, “be all that you can be”, blah blah blah. It is also being written in the hope that it might shed some light on what we (the outplaced) go through. And, that you are not alone…not by any stretch. · Eighth, I am not a psychiatrist, preacher, or Zig Ziglar. This book is not designed to heal your pain, have you spring off the couch to face new challenges, or find a higher purpose. All good things if they occur, but not a guarantee that comes with the book. · Ninth, If I accomplished my objective (still in exec mode) you will be nodding your head (north/south, or east/west), smiling, saying, “uh huh, yep” or even laughing. If I was still on an incentive plan, your laughter would be “Exceeds Expectations”, valued at 125% of the objective (those of you who were on classic performance incentive programs can relate). · Tenth, I was going to stop at nine, but I noticed there is a tenth point…I like to use parenthesis and quotation marks. Make no mistake about it, I am not making light of a situation that is life-altering and impacts your entire family. What I am doing is giving you something to pick up now and then and hopefully bring a smile to your face and the recognition that you are not alone. For many, that will not suffice to get them through the day, for some, it may. You'll Land on Your Feet will also address the phases of transition that you may be experiencing and shed some light on what you can expect. It is not research based other than my “findings” from those I have encountered along my journey (oh yeah, that's a big word in this process, “Journey”. It's the positive way to refer to the trip which you never really planned to take. I hope reading “You'll Land on Your Feet” brings cathartic reflection, a brighter moment in your day, and ultimately, softens your landing.