The Career Position Every Senior Leader Needs to Know Right Now

How often do you hear someone’s job has been impacted in recent years? 

Years ago, I have been a top performer in many organisations - the one who delivered results and transformed companies. I never thought restructuring would impact me. Until it did.

And the most shocking realisation? Great performance does not guarantee a safe career path.

What if it happens to you? Would you prefer to regain control of your career path, or leave it to the last minute to react?

Why Great Performance cannot secure your job.

Traditionally, performing well can help many leaders secure a great job.

It doesn't work when a company has its own plan that the company leaders won't (or can't) tell you until the suitable moment.

In the past, there weren't such large-scale layoffs at that frequency across different sectors. But it has changed, and industry data is sharing the same story.

LinkedIn's research* shows that advanced economies are struggling the most, with hiring down 20%–35% compared to pre-pandemic levels. 

That means job supply is reduced by one-third 1/3.

Applicants per open role have doubled 2x according. 

It indicates the competition is doubled.

The data shows that the job market is more volatile. With the increased complexity of the macro geo-political environment and the transformations driven by AI, companies are hesitant to hire people for now. 

That makes the job more stressful and job hunting even harder than before, because competition is much stronger.

It might be easy to find new good jobs after leaving a company years ago, but the situation has changed now.

With the decline in job security, holding on to the old beliefs and assumptions may not serve you anymore.

The Leaders’ Baggages Take UP the SPACE

Being a senior leader is a huge responsibility: to drive business results as well as leading teams to grow. The macro environment and culture causes companies to focus very much on numbers and that stresses everyone out at work every day. 

Even when leaders have time, they still have to attend to their personal and family demands. Many don't even have enough sleep. They don't have the capacity to think about this while dealing with career, health, and relationships.

They find it hard to have the luxury of time and energy to pause.

The momentum and identity of being a high performing leader for years is so strong that it's hard to break.

When I worked as a senior leader, there were moments when I was unsure if I was on the right track that I truly wanted. I simply continued what worked before and built on that. I wish I knew better. 

Most of us (me included) wait for a hard stop to react, but it doesn't have to be. 

I know some leaders lean on conversations with others and get reminded due to the increased impact among peers. 

Some get it through learning from education, podcasts, or YouTube. 

Now that you know you can avoid it,  through reading this article, you can intentionally start thinking about your career risk like a business risk.

Do you know where you stand?

The truth is you have already made a choice to be in one of the following positions, intentionally or unconsciously: 

1. Stay and Focus 

You are dedicated 100% to your job, your team, and work extremely hard to solve problems and achieve business results because you believe that's the way to be a good leader. The better you do, the more rewards you will gain.

Or, you have been doing this profession for so long that you don't know what else you can do. You feel comfortable and enjoy keeping that focus. 

2. Stay and Explore 

You work hard at your job, but you have started to feel less satisfaction and hear frequently how your friends, ex-colleagues, or even family members' jobs are impacted. You know, having one job is no longer a safe bet, and you decide to explore alternatives.

You start discussing with your friends to see what's possible based on your financial needs, interests, and skill sets. You may even test a few options to see what might work as a side hustle to build new skills from scratch while you have the support of a full-time job. 

3. Plan Exit 

You have assessed your situation based on your practical, financial, and emotional needs. You feel clear about the 'deadline' of doing the current job for your own good. You have decided to take the leap with preparation.

You know it may impact your team, so you do everything you can to help them be in a better position, e.g. pay, skills, prospects, while you are preparing your own shift. 

4. Wait for Layoff 

You feel so comfortable with your job, the pay, the perks, and the status that not only supports your lifestyle, but also gives you a sense of proud identity among peers.

Either you are too stressed at work to think, believe the company is strong, and you won't be affected, or you don't want to think of the impact of layoffs. You'd rather hold on to the belief that things won't change so quickly. You wait until later to act. 

By identifying the position you are taking, you can analyse the opportunities and risks to better prepare.

And ask yourself: ARE YOU WILLING AND PREPARED TO TAKE THAT POSITION?

If so, you can keep where you are. If not, repeat the analysis for the other positions that sound more right for you.

Then you can decide which position you'd like to take to achieve what you truly desire, for yourself and for people around you.

Whatever you choose, choose it consciously. So there are fewer surprises when things hit you.

If you can commit to doing such a great job planning for your company, you can commit to pausing and planning for yourself too.

Hope this article inspires you. If it does, do share with others because

~ WE RISE BY LIFTING OTHERS ~

*LinkedIn's 2026 Global Labor Market Report