Finding the upside!
There seems to be an (uneccessary) stigma attached to being made redundant – probably not least the word itself which imediately implies the person being made redundant is superflous! Ok so we need a better word, how about “redeploy” which brings a sense of immediate purpose? This is not about redefining the word though, more about taking a different perspective and granted perhaps this will not apply to everyone – but it can too many!
The tenet here is that redundancy is in itself an opportunity; an opportunity to re-assess. Find or try something new, something too which you are perhaps better suited. We do not – by any stretch of the imagination – necessarily follow the career path to which we are best suited. The “triangle of opportunity” is reducing almost immediately we take our first job – and how well do we know ourselves then?
I recently took an Emergenetics personality profiling test which illustrated my brains’ preferred thinking preferences – I was surprised at how strong my preference was for conceptual/creative thinking. Having previously described myself as the opposite I realised looking back at my career, that this creativity characterised my dealmaking (in sales) and my business ideas. If I had known this earlier I am sure I could have done more to develop this skill and creativity at a younger age. Was I another potential James Dyson I wonder? 
I took the Emergenetics test as part of learning about the company and products but it would have been equally valid if I had been made redundant and wanted to explore my best options for going forward.
Personal profiling is a valuable self investment and often offered as part of an outplacement package; so if offered one you should take it. I also took the Myers Briggs test but found the process and results less than satisfactory and difficult to relate too but it has not put me off doing some more self awareness exercises to ensure I focus on the things I am good at and enjoy – and so can best deliver on.
Redundancy will mean difficult times for many and I am not insensitive to that but it can be a great chance to re-assess, refocus and re-energise!
Tags: Redundancy Emergenetics MBTI self awareness
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