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If you're worried about getting fired,

Answer these 10 questions to see where you rank:
Action is the best remedy for anxiety.

But how can you take action on something you don't control?

By turning a vague worry into actionable data.

Get out a pen and paper, and let's see how worried you should be.

Rank each factor 1-10:
Industry:
- Emerging to Proven (10 for proven)
- Shrinking to Growing (10 for high growth industry)

Company:
- New or Established (10 for established)
- Burning Cash or Profitable (10 for profitable)
- Peer companies firing or hiring (10 for hiring)
Role:
- Cost or Revenue Center (10 if you generate revenue)
- Side Project or Core Business (10 if you're core)
- Redundant or Solo (10 if you're the only one in your role)

Performance:
- Underperformer to Star (10 for Star)
- Topped-Out or High Potential (10 for High Potential)
How to interpret the data:

Greater than 80% -> Safe
You're at a solid company in a valued role and performing well.

60-80% -> Modest Risk
Can you take steps to improve your role or performance? You may also want to take preemptive steps to shore up your network and brand.
30-60% -> High Risk
Star in a high-risk industry? Make sure you're being rewarded.
Low performer at a strong company? Consider a change.

0-30% -> WTF
This isn't about getting fired. It's about making the most of your one beautiful life, and you're not set up to win. Take action.
Considerations:
- We want to soften reality so we don't have to deal with it. Don't. Be clear-eyed about your reality so that you can take the right action.

- There are no guarantees. Factors can quickly shift as markets turn. Stay vigilant. Watch for signs inside your company.
Still nervous?

Use this format to have a structured conversation with your boss.
- What are you missing?
- How would they score differently?
- What can you do to add more value?

Anything that improves the score in your current role makes you more valuable in your next one.
What if you're a leader guiding a team through a layoff?

I'm breaking down the play I would run in tomorrow's MGMT Playbook.

Subscribers get it sent to their inbox mid-day every Wednesday.
mgmt.beehiiv.com/subscribe
It was kind of McKinsey to throw their support behind my Index with their layoff announcement today.
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