“Sympathy is rushing to turn the light on into someone’s darkness so that we feel better, whereas empathy is being prepared to sit with somebody in their darkness and connect with them and just be there for them.”

In this episode, I’m joined by June Hogan. June helps organisations to do redundancy and layoffs well! So of course I’m a fan. It’s never easy or simple when companies have to let people go, but it can be done well, and with empathy and fairness. This is what June’s work is all about.

We talk about the difference between empathy and sympathy when you are leading change, or letting your team go. How organisations can do redundancies well.

And June shares her story of embracing life-changing moments, sitting with the discomfort of the unknown, and discovering that transformation can often be waiting on the other side of uncertainty.

Our conversation is all about what it means to open new doors in your life and career. Whether you’re facing redundancy, longing for something different, or simply rethinking your relationship with work, we dig into the messy, honest reality of change. June shares the wisdom she's gained from not just walking through her own doors, but from supporting others.

The highlights:

04:09 From HR to Coach: June’s pivot

11:32 Finding your niche after redundancy

14:16 The myth of having it all figured out (and why it’s okay to be “messy”)

17:46 Re-thinking identity, self-worth, and shame after losing your job

18:49 The overlooked emotional toll of delivering bad news at work

23:50 Sympathy vs. Empathy (and how to truly support people in tough moments)

32:35 The pace of change: why redundancy and layoffs feel more sudden than ever

36:07 The double-edged sword of too much (or too little) warning

43:28 How to give yourself permission to “pause” and feel during change

Things that help June navigate change:

Soundtrack: “Can’t Stop the Feeling” by Justin Timberlake (yes, the Trolls movie one).

Books: The Gifts of Imperfection and Atlas of the Heart by Brené Brown

One piece of advice: “Just acknowledge how you’re feeling, don’t rush it, and give yourself permission to take time and reach out to others. Slowing down doesn’t mean standing still. It’s about bringing self-awareness to what’s really happening, so you can move forward on your own terms.”

About June Hogan

June understands the emotional and practical challenges of both delivering and receiving difficult news. Having experienced redundancy herself, twice, she appreciates how tough that journey can be. After redundancy, she took a career break overseas and pursued professional coach training. She found the experience life-changing and returned to the UK with a clear vision: to launch her own outplacement firm. Wildwood Coaching was founded in 2019.

Her specialism in outplacement support reflects a combination of personal experience, professional coaching qualifications, and core values. June has built a trusted team of experienced, qualified associates who share a commitment to a person-centred and empathetic approach.

Website: www.wildwoodcoaching.co.uk

Work with Eleanor

Eleanor supports individuals, teams and organisations through change. Whether it’s coaching or large scale organisational change through communications and training.

Work with Eleanor 121 as your coach, when you are starting something new, to develop the idea, to create the idea, to get it launched.

Book in a Change Mastery for teams session - when your team is navigating change.

Book in a 90 minute workshop - to think through change at work.

Join the Another Door Opens 5 Step Programme - a course and community to guide you through the mess of change to find calm, joy and opportunity.

Buy the Book - Another Door Opens - 5 steps to navigating change.

Instagram:instagram/anotherdooruk

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/eleanor-tweddell/

Website: www.another-door-opens.com

Produced by winteraudio.co.uk