The Brutal Truth About Running Layoffs
“HR Heretics” | How CPOs, CHROs, Founders, and Boards Build High Performing Companies · 2025-11-13 · 25 min
Episode notes
On today’s Dear Heretics segment, Nolan and Kelli tackle a question on navigating layoffs, revealing hard-won lessons from cutting deep, treating people humanely, and avoiding rookie RIF mistakes. Support our Sponsor: Metaview is the AI platform built for recruiting. Check it out: * Our suite of AI agents work across your hiring process to save time, boost decision quality, and elevate the candidate experience. * Learn why team builders at 3,000+ cutting-edge companies like Brex, Deel, and Quora can’t live without Metaview. * It only takes minutes to get up and running. KEEP UP WITH NOLAN + KELLI ON LINKEDIN Nolan: Kelli: __ For coaching and advising inquire at — TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Intro (03:22) Dear Heretics: What to Know Before Your First RIF (05:10) The Carta Layoff Playbook: Cut Deep, Stay Humane, Do It Once (09:19) Sponsor: Metaview (10:41) Change Management: Why Before and After Matter Most (15:00) Opt-In Severance and Tucking In Top Performers (19:00) Designing for Trust Over Fear (22:04) Leadership Accountability and the Golden Rule (24:11) Wrap This is a public episode.