If you’ve been paying attention to the news, you know that layoffs are happening all over the country. Companies are downsizing and cutting costs wherever they can. Managers determine who to furlough by stack ranking their employees. Right now, managers are ranking their employees from best to worst. Those at the bottom of the list are the most likely to be laid off. If you want to survive in today’s economy, ensuring your manager perceives you as a valuable team member is more important than ever. This blog post will discuss improving your manager’s perception of you and increasing your chances of surviving a layoff!
What is stack ranking, and why is it used in layoffs?
Stack ranking, otherwise known as “forced ranking,” is a process used by some companies to evaluate their employees. Stack ranking identifies the people at the top of the list as the most valuable team members and those at the bottom as candidates for layoffs. Managers can use this system to rank employees in layoffs, promotions, salary increases, and more.
How do you improve your manager’s perception of you?
Your manager is evaluating you right now as layoff loom. There are a few ways to improve your manager’s perception of the value you bring to the team. Implementing these things will demonstrate your value to the organization and the team:
Show initiative to survive a layoff
To survive a layoff, you must demonstrate initiative to make yourself more valuable to the team. Demonstrating initiative at work is a great way to show your manager that you are an invaluable asset to the team. Taking the initiative means recognizing opportunities and taking steps to turn those opportunities into tangible results. To demonstrate initiative at work, start by listening to what your manager and colleagues say about their goals and objectives. Then, ask questions that help you understand their needs and take action.
You can also demonstrate initiative by proactively improving processes or creating efficiencies. Take the time to evaluate existing systems or procedures, identify areas of potential improvement, and apply creative solutions. For example, if you notice a lot of paperwork involved in a task, suggest using automation or cloud-based software tools to streamline the process.
Moreover, look for ways to help other departments or teams without them asking. Having an eye on how your work affects the company will show your manager that you’re looking out for the organization’s well-being.
Finally, don’t be afraid to take risks and offer new ideas — this will demonstrate that you’re not just following orders but thinking for yourself. Your manager will appreciate it when you develop innovative solutions with tangible results!
Communicate effectively to keep your manager updated
To survive a layoff, it’s crucial to keep your manager updated about your progress. Regular and effective communication is critical. One of the most important ways to communicate effectively with your manager is to stay organized and provide regular updates. This means being proactive in sharing progress and successes and any obstacles or challenges you may face. Developing a system for keeping your manager in the loop will help them understand what’s going on and give them a better sense of your workload.
Start by setting up a weekly or bi-weekly meeting with your manager. During these meetings, it’s essential to clearly articulate what you’ve accomplished since the last meeting, what action items are currently in progress, and any upcoming deadlines. Even if there has been little visible progress since the previous meeting, explain precisely why. This will demonstrate that you are taking ownership of your work and clarifying where things stand at any given time for your manager.
It’s also important to stay organized in terms of document management. Having all relevant emails, documents, spreadsheets, etc., saved together in one place ensures easy access when needed. Additionally, it prevents miscommunication between team members or delays due to missing files. An organized filing system makes it easier for everyone to keep track of their tasks and deadlines.
Finally, remember to follow up! After each meeting with your manager or whenever you submit a report or task update–follow up with a quick email reminder specifying deadlines and reiterating the points discussed during the meeting. This will help keep everyone in agreement regarding expectations and ensure that tasks remain on track.
Demonstrate an openness to feedback to survive a layoff
Companies are indicating layoffs are coming to reduce costs and maximize efficiency. As a result, employees need to demonstrate an openness to feedback if they want to survive a layoff. The ability to receive and process criticism constructively shows a willingness to learn, grow, and adapt — all of which can make a significant difference in the face of layoffs.
One of the best ways to demonstrate openness to feedback is by practicing active listening and open-mindedness. Active listening means being present and engaged in conversation and taking the time to understand what is being said. Showing that you are interested in and considering other people’s opinions shows you value their thoughts and aren’t afraid of constructive criticism.
When receiving feedback, make sure to stay positive and non-defensive. Avoid making excuses or devaluing the opinion of the person giving feedback before considering it yourself. Instead, acknowledge their point of view with a simple “Thank you for your input” or “I appreciate your advice” before responding. This will show that you are listening, even if you disagree with the feedback.
It’s important to not only listen but also ask questions. For example, ask for advice on implementing the suggestions or what problems might arise from specific solutions. Asking questions demonstrates that you are engaging in critical thinking. In addition, questions show you are interested in other points of view instead of merely accepting feedback. Taking notes during conversations ensures accuracy when recalling key points later, showing others that you take their feedback seriously.
Tips for increasing productivity to survive a layoff
Productivity and meeting goals are essential for surviving layoffs, especially when working in a stack ranking system. Here are some tips to increase productivity and meet goals to survive layoffs:
Make sure you prioritize tasks effectively. Set realistic and achievable deadlines, both for yourself and your team. Establish an organizational system to ensure that all your tasks are completed on time and in order.
Identify areas of improvement and create an action plan to address them better. Then, take the initiative, ask for feedback from your team and your manager, and use it to improve yourself.
Stay focused by removing distractions, such as social media or emails, until you have completed important tasks. Take short breaks throughout the day to give yourself some time away from work to clear your head and come back feeling energized.
Communicate regularly with your manager about progress and any potential problems you may encounter. Ask questions if you don’t understand something or need clarification- this shows your manager that you are invested in the task and care about doing it right.
How to manage stress and stay positive
Managing stress and staying positive can be difficult during layoffs, especially when employees are uncertain about their job security. During layoffs, it is essential to remember that they are not necessarily a reflection of any individual’s work performance; instead, they are often a symptom of larger economic or business issues that are out of an employee’s control. To manage stress and stay positive during layoffs, some tips to consider include:
Focus on what you can control
When layoffs are looming, it is crucial to focus on the tasks within your control instead of worrying about things outside your control – such as how layoffs might affect your career or the decisions made by upper management. In addition, concentrate on tasks such as maximizing the quality of your work and building relationships with colleagues and customers that may be helpful in the future.
Seek support from family and friends
During layoffs, emotions can run high, and it is beneficial to have someone who will provide emotional support. Reach out to family members or friends who have gone through similar situations before for advice on managing stressors associated with layoffs.
Add structure to your day
Adding structure to days has been found to help individuals cope with stress during layoffs. Consider creating a daily schedule that allows for the time dedicated to working, leisure activities, exercise, learning new skills, etc., so that all aspects of life feel balanced even in uncertain times.
Set realistic expectations
It is easy to become overwhelmed when layoffs occur; however, setting realistic expectations for yourself can help you manage unreasonable expectations, which create additional stressors for yourself and others involved in the process. Consider prioritizing tasks according to urgency/importance rather than attempting everything at once – this way, you can still progress despite overwhelming feelings associated with layoffs.
Stay informed about updates related to layoffs
It is essential to stay up-to-date on any news related to layoffs, as this will minimize surprises that often bring additional stressors into play once information becomes available later in the process. In addition, companies usually publish press releases about major changes like layoffs, so subscribe or follow relevant accounts online, so you know what’s happening as soon as possible during these difficult times!
These tips may also apply if your company utilizes stack ranking systems wherein employees compete against each other for better performance ratings. However, these systems can create additional worries because employees must continually prove their worth for them not only to survive but also to stand out amongst peers for career advancement opportunities down the line!
Layoffs can be scary for employees, but by following these tips, you can improve your manager’s perception of the value you bring to the team and increase your chance of survival. Tips include staying informed, managing stress, and setting realistic expectations. Remember that layoffs are not always a reflection of individual work performance. They are out of an employee’s control – so focus on what you can do to make the most of the situation.
