E23 How to Handle Layoffs as a Leader with Sophie Vo Part 2: The Breakdown

Building Better Games

During Part 1 of our conversation, our leader in game dev shared the tough layoff decision she was unexpectedly forced to make as a leader at her former employer. We learned the basics of what happened and how it impacted her, and now we dive into a deeper discussion of the choice she made in part 2.

Building Better Games plays devil’s advocate in this episode, discussing the different ways she could have addressed this situation. They talk about what led her to make her final decision, and the feedback she received from her team. You’ll hear a deeper dive into how she honored herself, her former employer, and her team.

We also discuss the employee life cycle, and why companies should help guide employees through their time at the company and prepare them to find a new role when they leave. This includes being a conscious leader, and addressing the emotional pain and stress that comes with layoffs.

Doing the “right thing” is not always the most pragmatic thing, but staying true to your values and doing what’s right may help you keep looking at yourself in the mirror each day. Tune in to this episode for advice on how to handle layoffs as a leader!

Topics discussed in this episode:

- Our leader in game dev considers other paths before making her final decision

- Leaders being unwilling to let go is a source of a lot of problems

- The surprising way the team’s story ended

- Conscious leadership and taking responsibility

- Ways to view severance packages in layoffs/firings

- Aaron on leaders that don’t handle firings well

- Staying true to yourself and decisions made as a leader

- How to approach a layoff scenario as a leader

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