How You Treat People on the Way Out Says Much About Your Leadership

Last week, Mark Zuckerberg announced that Meta would be cutting 3,600 workers (~5% of staff), targeting what he called "low performers."

“I’ve decided to raise the bar on performance management and move out low performers faster,” Zuckerberg wrote in an internal memo.

Many of those let go have since spoken out, challenging the ‘low performer’ characterization.

Layoffs, staff reductions and letting people go is an unfortunate but often necessary part of running a business, but there is no point in kicking someone on the way-out the door.

Layoffs Can Be Necessary—But They Need Not Be Cruel

I’ve had to let go many people in my career for various reasons. It’s never easy or pleasant.

I once helped an employee carry her things to her car while she cried. It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done.

Zuckerberg’s rhetoric isn’t tough leadership—it’s mean-spirited and unnecessary. Maybe it’s an attempt to impress shareholders, playing into his new "tough guy" persona with his martial arts training and talk of “masculine energy” (I mean just look at the picture)

In addition, what does it say about your company’s ability to hire and recruit if you have to let so many people go

It says you are terrible at recruiting and hiring and your puzzle brain-twister interview questions probably don't work

The real reason Meta had to let so many people go is it hired too many people during the Covid tech boom from 2020 to 2022. During that time tech companies hired people at a staggering rate predicting a new wave of digital transformation. Meta doubled its staff during this time.

They were wrong and layoffs have soon followed starting in 2023.

Its not just Zuckerberg and Meta

Insulting people as you let them go is part of a worrying recent trend, and Zuckerberg isn’t the only guilty party.

Elon Musk has been trashing federal workers with scathing criticism just as they are being shown the door.

This week thousands of federal employees got letters stating something to this effect “The U.S. Department of X finds, that based on your performance you have not demonstrated that your further employment at the Department of X would be in the public interest”

You may be thinking, the federal government is bloated and needs to be trimmed down. I don’t disagree, but many of these people have given their careers in the services of the public interest and they deserve to be treated with empathy and respect.

There is another way

Contrast Zuckerberg’s comments and approach to what Southwest Airlines CEO, Bob Jordan said when announcing his company’s layoffs this week.

“I arrived at this decision thoughtfully and carefully, knowing how hard it will be to say goodbye to colleagues who have been a significant part of our Southwest Culture and accomplishments. I'm grateful to all Southwest Employees who have shared in our legendary history and to those that will guide us into the next era of Southwest Airlines." 

That’s how you do it - with humanity, empathy and grace.