A client recently asked me to help prepare for a redundancy conversation. And contrary to what we usually do in coaching they asked me to share advice on how to approach this.

My advice was this:

Remember this conversation is not about you.

The other person won’t want to hear your advice, or your experience or even an ‘I understand what you’re going through’. As could shift the focus away from their needs.

And while I say ‘simply’ it doesn’t come easy to many.

Be present. Offer a safe space for their emotions.

Resist the urge to fix (there is nothing to fix) or advise.

Resist the urge to think you know what’s good for the other at that moment.