Book Available for Pre-order Now "From Redundancy to Reinvention"
I work with businesses and Employees to embrace the challenges
of this new world of work
About Fiona
Fiona has been writing, speaking and commentating about The Future of Work for over a decade. She advocates for employees and businesses to help them navigate New Workforce challenges.
Her work has been featured in local and international blogs
Fiona is a media commentator, podcast host, keynote speaker and author
Brands I've worked with
Suporting You to Naviagate This New World Of Work
Could Generative AI Change the Way You Feel About Your Job?
Could Generative AI Change the Way You Feel About Your Job?
Could Generative AI Change the Way You Feel About Your Job?
76% of people are currently unhappy in their roles, but what if we could change all that using AI?
At a busienss level there are many new ways to align
I've Been Made Redundant - What Now?
Could Generative AI Change the Way You Feel About Your Job?
Could Generative AI Change the Way You Feel About Your Job?
What if I told you that there is a 5 step program for getting through redundancy ? I should know I've lived it IRL 4 times! So let me take the pain and confusion out of transitioning from your old role and create the safe space you need to transition to the job you are meant to be doing. To an organisation who cares about what you care a
What if I told you that there is a 5 step program for getting through redundancy ? I should know I've lived it IRL 4 times! So let me take the pain and confusion out of transitioning from your old role and create the safe space you need to transition to the job you are meant to be doing. To an organisation who cares about what you care about and is aligned with the things you like to do.
Sounds good doesn't it?
Book a discovery call today https://calendly.com/fionawilhelm
What I've Learned About Redundancy
Could Generative AI Change the Way You Feel About Your Job?
What I've Learned About Redundancy
Last week was a tough week, you may have seen the article in the AFR about the 200 redundancies that the KPMG firm made across Australia. I wanted to write this letter to my 28 year old self for everyone out there who is fearing being made redundant or has just been told their role is no longer required in the wake of Covid-19. I know fr
Last week was a tough week, you may have seen the article in the AFR about the 200 redundancies that the KPMG firm made across Australia. I wanted to write this letter to my 28 year old self for everyone out there who is fearing being made redundant or has just been told their role is no longer required in the wake of Covid-19. I know from personal experience, how shattering redundancy can be and what a huge impact it can have on your mental health, your relationships and your family. I write this letter as someone who has healed from redundancy 3 separate times:
Dear Fiona, It’s 2009, You work in a Digital Advertising agency in NZ and you’re about to receive a letter informing you that your role has been made redundant. You’ll feel as if you’ve just been punched in the stomach, you’ll feel numb and you won’t know what to do. You don’t even want to call your husband as you’ve just bought a house and he’ll only stress out.
This will be the first of 3 redundancies you’ll face over the next 7 years - don’t worry it’ll get easier. Your ability to think differently about redundancy will become one of your biggest advantages in life – opening doors and taking you places where others will never go.
It’ll get easier, not because you get used to being made redundant, but because you learn not to take it personally, to let go of plans or perfection and to reframe it as an opportunity. You’ll realise that being made redundant isn’t a reflection of you, your value or your potential. In fact the sooner you accept redundancy as an opportunity to relax and look inward about what is important, the better.
You’ll realise that you weren’t meant to stay in Advertising and you’ll discover a whole new sense of purpose aligned with your value of 'making a difference' in Consulting. As you get older you will realise just how important it is to do what you love to do and not to compromise.
Believe in yourself, play to your strengths and do what brings you joy because change is the only constant..
There are 5 things I want you to remember
- It’s not you - it's life, market forces and digital disruption will continue to affect the industries we work in, all we can do is face into change with a growth mindset.
- Take the time - Take as much time as you can between a redundancy and a new job to nurture and heal yourself - you need to grieve the loss and find your centre again. The secret is to take the time out to reflect. The times when you’ll jump straight into another role are the times you will choose a job for the wrong reasons and it won’t be aligned to your values.
- There is always a silver lining - Being made redundant in Advertising felt hard at the time, but you never would have considered Consulting if that hadn’t happened. Embrace change, there is always a better plan for you.
- Be ready to pivot - ALWAYS - Take care of your personal brand - you’ll learn to read the signs in the market. If you look after your online profile, stay connected in the market and proactively be curious, you’ll be better placed to protect your career.
- Being in service is the best way to pivot your mindset - Helping friends to update their Linkedin profiles or simply volunteering your time for a charity, takes you from a victim mindset to being of service and that always feels better.
The 3 times I faced redundancy I did so mostly alone, in these Coronavirus times if you've been made redundant you'll have a whole tribe of people to connect with and who knows what amazing new businesses will come out of this time.