My mom just lost her volunteer role after six years and she was devastated. 

To her, it wasn’t “just volunteering.” 

It was purpose. It was routine. 

It was a place that needed her.

It was a job.

The organization got shut down and before she knew it, it was over.

She had to live in that space of shock, confusion, sadness, anger.

And that’s grief.

We tend to reserve the term “grief” for funerals. 

But the loss of a job, especially when it’s not your choice, absolutely triggers the same psychological process. 

There’s denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and (eventually) acceptance.

More and more clients are coming to coaches like us after being displaced.

Not by poor performance or bad behavior, but by a wave of change they didn’t ask for: tech layoffs, AI disruption, budget cuts, restructuring.

And too often, we respond with:
“I’m so sorry to hear that. Let’s talk next steps…”

But what if they’re not ready?

What if what they really need is permission to grieve?

We aren’t therapists. But we are humans.

You don’t need to be a licensed counselor to create space for grief. 

You just have to see it. Acknowledge it. Respect it.

Because if you jump to job search strategies too soon, here’s what happens:

• Clients accept a similar job just to feel “safe” again.

• They never process what happened — so fear, self-doubt, and burnout follow them.

• They start believing they were the problem.

• They make short-term decisions that hurt long-term satisfaction.

Your client might be dealing with imposter syndrome. 

Or rejection sensitivity. 

Or just sadness that no one seems to take seriously. 

As a coach, your first job isn’t to fix. It’s to sit with them in the fog and say:

"Yep. This is hard. It makes sense that you feel that way."

Help your clients process what’s happened

Before clients can move forward, they often need help making sense of where they’ve been. 

That starts with slowing down and asking better questions that give them permission to feel what they’re feeling.

A few questions I use when coaching someone through forced job loss:

• What part of this experience feels the hardest to talk about right now?

• What routines or identities did this job give you that are now gone?

• What would it feel like to not jump into the next thing right away?

• What are you grieving that no one else seems to acknowledge?

Grief ≠ stagnation.

Grief shows up when something mattered.

A loss of identity or purpose, or routine. That’s not weakness. 

That’s evidence that the job meant something. And if we skip past that, we risk building shaky foundations for what comes next.

We aren’t helping clients by rushing them into action. They need us to help them move forward in a way that’s honest, not reactive.

Because real and lasting change comes from acknowledging what’s true and choosing what’s next with full awareness.

Sometimes, the most powerful thing you can say is:
"I believe you. That job mattered. Let’s start from there."

Weekly Tech Tip

Ever heard of Yoodli? It’s like having a personal AI communications coach you and your clients can access anytime with instant feedback on pacing, filler words, tone, and even interview-style follow-ups.

Imagine offering clients a safe space to rehearse pitch answers or tricky interviews, with real‑time information to help refine their delivery.

If you're looking to support your clients with interview preparation, Yoodli could be the tool you need to wow them!

See you next week,
Heather

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