When Leadership Has a Heartbeat: What Job Loss Taught Me About Leadership

By: Dr. Jalaima Nicols

Leadership rooted in authenticity, accountability, and purpose is most profoundly tested in moments of loss. One of the most defining experiences of my leadership journey was leading the layoff of an entire national team of patient educators—approximately 40 clinicians, primarily nurses—whose work was deeply mission-driven and patient-centered. This was not simply an operational decision; it was a human moment that demanded my courage, clarity, and compassion.

I chose to lead with transparency, but that choice began long before the day of the layoff. Nearly a year earlier, I learned that the national team I led would eventually be eliminated. For months, I carried that knowledge quietly—showing up to meetings, coaching careers, celebrating milestones, and sustaining morale while holding a truth I was not yet allowed to share. The emotional and psychological toll of that year was profound. I learned how heavy leadership can feel when responsibility must be carried in silence. When the moment finally arrived, I resisted scripted language and emotional distance. Instead, I named the reality of the decision, the impact on livelihoods, and the human weight of what we were facing. I grounded myself enough to lead with steadiness while creating space for grief, anger, and uncertainty—both theirs and my own. That year taught me that leadership in crisis is not about detachment, but about emotional regulation in the service of others.

Accountability shaped what came next. I centered the psychological, social, and professional needs of my team, recognizing that a layoff does not end with a final meeting. I ensured each individual had access to meaningful transition resources, including career coaching, resume support, networking connections, and guidance for pursuing opportunities both inside and outside the organization. My goal was not simply to close roles, but to help people reclaim dignity, confidence, and agency as they prepared for their next chapter—many of whom stepped into leadership roles elsewhere.

This experience clarified my own purpose. In choosing authenticity, I recognized the need to honor what the moment awakened in me. I deliberately pivoted to explore leadership more deeply and pursued a Doctor of Education in Organizational Change and Leadership. I completed my doctorate within three years during the pandemic, positioning myself to return to the workforce with a stronger leadership mindset, deeper expertise, and a renewed commitment to leading with integrity, purpose, and humanity.