Episode 81: Right Sizing vs Layoffs | Lead with Integrity or Panic Like Everyone Else
Episode Description:
Is your business scaling with strategy or reacting in survival mode?
In this unscripted episode of Don’t Waste the Chaos, Kerri M. Roberts delivers a brutally honest gut check for business owners and leaders facing tough decisions. With 20 years in HR and zero tolerance for sugarcoating, Kerri breaks down what right sizing really means and why most leaders confuse it with layoffs done in panic.
If you’re a founder, CEO, or team leader who wants to run a values-driven business without tanking your culture, this episode is for you. Packed with truth, data, and practical tools, it’s a must-listen for anyone who refuses to lead like everyone else.
Tune into hear:
The difference between layoffs and right sizing and why most leaders get it wrong
What intentional workforce planning actually looks like (and why almost no one does it)
How to lead through hard conversations with clarity, compassion, and legal integrity
Why silence…not change, is the #1 killer of morale
The inside story of how and why Kerri ditched the script for this episode
Mentioned in this Episode:
Layoff Meeting Checklist (Free Download)
https://www.saltandlightadvisors.com/layoff-checklist
The HR Easy Button Book – Book One
https://www.saltandlightadvisors.com/bookone
HR in a Box Membership – For small to mid-size businesses doing HR solo
https://www.saltandlightadvisors.com/hrinabox
The Circle – Growth community for faith-driven women
https://www.saltandlightadvisors.com/thecircle
Book Kerri to speak or consult
Website: https://kerrimroberts.com/speaking
Contact: hi@saltandlightadvisors.com
If this episode spoke to you, subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts, and share it with a leader who’s ready to lead with purpose, not panic.
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@kerrimroberts &@saltandlightadvisors
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Full Transcript:
Kerri Roberts (00:01)
Welcome back to another episode of Don’t Waste the Chaos. Today we’re talking about a tough but necessary subject—right sizing your workforce versus reactive layoffs. If you’re committed to being a business owner who operates with integrity, this conversation is for you.
Many leaders focus on how fast they can grow, but true leadership shows when growth slows—whether it’s because your pipeline is thinner, you’re closing down a location, or you’re pivoting into a new business direction.
Growth, Refinement, and Leadership Presence
Kerri Roberts (01:20)
We all want scalability and expansion—me included. But when it’s time to refine, pivot, or pause, how you care for your team matters most.
Every time I read about a large company’s layoffs, I think about how it’s being handled:
How is leadership communicating?
What resources are employees being offered?
How is the remaining team impacted?
Sadly, many companies wait until they’re in crisis to act, making decisions out of panic rather than stewardship.
Right Sizing vs. Layoffs: The Core Difference
Kerri Roberts (02:25)
Layoffs often stem from panic.
Right sizing comes from intentional stewardship—aligning your team’s energy and resources with your business’s actual needs.
This is about strategic workforce planning, not just headcount cuts. It means evaluating:
Do we have the right people in the right seats?
Are we delivering products/services at the highest level?
Are there locations or roles we no longer need?
A SHRM stat I love: 73% of small businesses that implemented right sizing instead of reactive layoffs had higher employee retention six months later.
Why Workforce Planning is Non-Negotiable
Kerri Roberts (11:50)
Most companies don’t do true workforce planning. My first big experience with it was in a distribution company—tracking every product coming in, stocked, shipped, and delivered, plus staffing levels for every shift.
If you’re not doing this level of analysis—looking at seasonal trends, forecasting workload, and staffing accordingly—you’re not right sizing. You’re reacting.
Right sizing should consider:
Business seasonality (weather, industry cycles, local events).
Strategic timing (budget planning, annual reviews, expansion/contraction phases).
Critical role analysis—what’s truly essential for revenue, operations, and client delivery?
Key Evaluation Filters Before Hiring or Cutting
Kerri Roberts (16:34)
Ask yourself:
Is this role critical to revenue, operations, or client delivery right now?
Are we duplicating efforts?
Are we under-utilizing skills?
My own business priorities right now:
Marketing/branding (non-negotiable).
Administrative support (contracts, invoicing, scheduling).
Outsourced finance & podcast production (with plans to bring in-house later).
When Cuts Are Necessary: Do It With Integrity
Kerri Roberts (18:44)
Transparency matters. Avoid hiding behind vague terms like “restructuring” if the real reason is performance. Mislabeling terminations can backfire legally and reputationally.
Best practices:
Be truthful about why a role is being eliminated.
Document performance issues.
Communicate with clarity and compassion.
CareerArc found 61% of employees are more likely to recommend a company that handles layoffs with transparency and empathy.
Practical Support for Exiting Employees
Kerri Roberts (23:33)
If you must let people go, consider:
Resume and LinkedIn support.
Internal references.
Severance (rule of thumb: one week per year of service).
Access to job leads or networking help.
I offer a free resource—Layoff Checklist—that walks you through steps before, during, and after the meeting. You can grab it at: saltandlightadvisors.com/layoff-checklist.
Transparent Communication: The Leadership Superpower
Kerri Roberts (25:49)
The #1 killer of morale isn’t change—it’s silence. Share:
What we know
What we’re considering
When we’ll update you next
McKinsey data shows employees who feel informed during changes are 3.5x more likely to stay engaged.
Lean Doesn’t Mean Weak
Kerri Roberts (30:35)
Right sizing before you’re forced to isn’t a weakness—it’s a sign of focused leadership. It protects your brand’s integrity and ensures you’re making purposeful, not panicked, decisions.
If something feels “off” in your business, don’t ignore it. Run the numbers. Consult your leadership team. Use AI for data analysis. And have the courage to act with integrity.
Final Thoughts & Invitation
Kerri Roberts (32:54)
Leadership is about courageous clarity. We’re not just building businesses—we’re building legacies.
If this resonated with you:
Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.
Check out my memberships: HR in a Box for small business HR support and The Circle for women focused on growth with a faith foundation.
Leading through right sizing and resource stewardship can feel chaotic, but this work is worth it. Don’t waste the chaos—embrace it.
