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Hi Reader,
We’ve been in conversation with leaders across our network, and the through-line is clear:
“I’m doing the right things. And still—I feel stuck.”
“I’m anxious, and I don’t even know if I should be.”
“I’m fine on paper, but this silence is making me question everything.”
If that’s you, you’re not imagining it.
- Hiring hit its lowest point in five years this past December.
- Economists say the labor market may stay “frozen” for a while.
- 1 in 3 adults is experiencing layoff anxiety.
- Consumer spending is down across every income group.
And here’s what’s really hard:
Even if layoffs are statistically low, the perception gap is wide.
People are bracing for a storm that may or may not come—because anxiety is running ahead of reality.
🧠 If you're between roles and spiraling:
You're applying. You're networking. You're doing your part.
But the silence is loud. And it's tempting to fill it with self-doubt.
What to do:
✅ Reground in what this next chapter needs to do for you—not just what job you can get.
✅ Sharpen your story. If someone scanned your LinkedIn for 10 seconds, what would they walk away knowing about your leadership? Watch this Office Hours replay.
✅ Reflect: Is this a visibility issue—or a direction issue?
💼 If you're employed but uneasy:
You haven’t been laid off. You’re not underperforming.
But you’re seeing the early indicators: tighter budgets, leadership churn, board uncertainty. The conversations are changing—and your role could be impacted next.
What to do:
✅ Start documenting strategic wins—how you’ve driven outcomes, not just outputs.
✅ Reconnect with trusted peers to exchange insight, not just advice.
✅ Don’t wait for clarity to get ready. Quiet preparation is still power.
🔍 If you're employed and evaluating your next move:
You’re not in crisis—but you’re also not fully aligned.
The role is stable, but the growth curve, internal dynamics, or long-term fit may no longer match your trajectory.
What to do:
✅ Audit your current scope of influence and leadership development opportunities.
✅ Clarify whether you’re positioning for a better version of your current role—or a more strategic leap.
✅ Refine your narrative now, so you're ready when the right opportunity emerges.
💵 Bonus: Take care of your financial nervous system.
For senior leaders, financial anxiety doesn’t always show up as “Can I make rent?”
It shows up as:
- Should I take this lower-paying role for long-term alignment?
- What’s my financial runway if the board makes a pivot?
- Am I still building wealth—or just sustaining comfort?
Stability starts well before your next paycheck.
- Revisit your spending through a values lens—not just a scarcity one
- Identify one financial scenario you’d feel more confident facing if you had a clearer plan
- Consider whether it’s time to bring in professional advice—not just for investing, but for overall strategy
We wrote a guide on how to find a financial advisor you can trust—someone who can support both your stability and your vision.
Read it here →
You don’t need to be perfect.
You just need to be present—to yourself, your needs, and what this season is showing you.
Slow isn’t failure.
Frozen isn’t forever.
And fear doesn’t get to lead.
With you,
Ify
P.S. What are you noticing in your world right now? If you’re seeing something different—or feeling the same shift—we’d love to hear. Just hit reply.
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