When your company shifts direction…
When reorgs roll through like thunderstorms…
When good people are let go, and you’re left wondering if you’re next…
It’s hard to stay calm.
It’s hard to stay focused.
It’s hard not to shrink.
Even if you still have your job, it doesn’t always feel like solid ground.
There’s often an undercurrent of fear, frustration, or fatigue that no one’s really talking about.
But here’s the truth:
Uncertainty is not a sign that you’re weak.
It’s a sign that your brain is doing its job—scanning for threat, trying to protect you, and bracing for impact.
So if you’re feeling scattered, unmotivated, or like you’re walking on eggshells at work, you are not alone.
The question is: what do you do with that energy?
From Fearful to Essential
In uncertain times, one of the best forms of job security is visibility, not perfection, but clarity about who you are and what you uniquely bring to the table.
A recent LinkedIn Workforce Confidence survey showed that professionals who survive multiple layoffs tend to share one thing:
They have a recognizable niche.
Not a title. Not a task.
Rather, a specialty. A signature strength. A way of thinking or problem-solving that the team would noticeably lose if they weren’t there.
Think about these examples:
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The calm problem-solver when everyone else is spiraling
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The organized one who sees patterns others miss
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The communicator who translates chaos into clarity
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The person others go to for perspective or reassurance
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The seasoned one who remembers what’s been tried before
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The quality-checker who keeps mistakes off the radar
People underestimate the value of these traits because they don’t always show up on performance reviews.
But these are the skills leaders fight to keep when teams shrink.
POC Reset for Uncertainty Anxiety
When the nervous system ramps up, try this quick reset:
✔️ Pause
Breathe deeply. Acknowledge the fear but don't let it control you.
✔️ Orient
Tell yourself: “What’s happening around me is real, but so is what I bring to the table.”
✔️ Choose
Pick one small action today that reinforces your value — not out of fear, but out of truth.
A helpful email.
A small improvement.
Thoughtful documentation.
A quiet moment of leadership.
A kind word to a worried colleague.
These tiny choices compound.
Claim Your Lane
Think about this: If your job disappeared tomorrow, what would your team miss most about you?
That’s your niche value.
Take a few minutes to reflect on these questions:
- What do people always come to you for? (this might reveal your hidden genius)
- What is something you do better than most, even if it feels small? (Small doesn't mean insignificant. Small often means irreplaceable.)
- What strengths do you have that aren't on your job description? (This is your niche that AI can't replace.)
- What part of your work are you most proud of lately? (Confidence comes from remembering what's already true.)
When you know your lane, you can strengthen it.
When you strengthen it, others notice it.
When others notice it, your value becomes visible...even without you saying a word.
Instead of trying to be everything to everyone, be the go-to for something.
🔹 Update your manager weekly with the wins only you could deliver.
🔹 Speak up in meetings with insights tied to your niche.
🔹 Say “yes” to projects that showcase your strengths, not just your endurance.
The goal isn’t to prove your worth through hustle.
It’s to reveal your worth through impact.
Your strength, experience, perspective, and steadiness are assets that a company can't easily cut.
đź“Ś One More Thought Before You Go
You didn’t survive because you’re “lucky.”
You survived because you bring something meaningful, something needed.
This is your moment to stand taller, not shrink smaller.
You’ve got this.
