Thread regarding Nike Inc. layoffs

Nike needs to stop treating reorgs like they’re a substitute for strategy.

Every time the org chart gets shuffled, employees don’t feel “aligned”; they feel like another layoff wave is coming. That kind of background anxiety eventually becomes its own full-time job.

The constant context switching is just as costly.
Teams barely settle into new priorities, new leaders, or new workflows before everything resets again. It’s impossible to build momentum when you’re always reintroducing yourself and relearning the mission of the month.

At some point, leadership has to realize that stability is a competitive advantage. You can’t demand world-class creativity and execution from people who are bracing for impact every quarter.

What the company actually needs isn’t another reorg ; it’s a resilient long-term plan, consistent direction, and a culture where people feel safe enough to do their best work. That’s how you “win,” whether it’s now or later.


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| 2032 views | | 8 replies (last November 26) | Reply
Post ID: @OP+1ka43va69

8 replies (most recent on top)

@c7 ehhh they just had layoffs too.. so not so sure they don’t have a similar dynamic..

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Post ID: @1sw+1ka43va69

Can you please ask ChatGPT to get your point across in 200 characters or less when you're asking it to generate these?

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Post ID: @151+1ka43va69

Real problems require real work, rolling up your sleeves and getting after it. Reorgs are an illusion, smoke & mirrors to cover up problems, to cover for inaction on the inefficiencies, the brokens, the processes and systems implemented with zero or negative ROI. Remove barriers, increase accountability & responsibility… and teams thrive. Reorgs also create the environment where everyone is afraid to speak up. If something isn’t working, and you don’t who owns something, and you’re afraid to speak up - what do you think happens? Inefficiencies grow, expenses rise, morale craters, quality erodes, and ownership is non-existent. Is predictable really. Is glimmers of hope, and that’s good, but it is not translating through layers of management. We make consumer goods, some pretty cool stuff at that - our supply chain doesn’t need to be bleeding edge, nor does our tech infrastructure… but we need accurate inventory, we need to be able to pack a box and load a trailer accurately, and for data exchanged with business partners to be good. If su-k at the basics everything is harder. If su-k at treating people with respect, then you reap what you sow. The #1 asset in any team, in any organization, is people. An inspired athlete, player, team can accomplish amazing things. Athletic teams don’t get better because of management reorgs, they get better with better talent being managed/coached better. If always picking the cheapest and most inexperienced players, and coaching to not make mistakes or to maintain the status quo —- then you’re going to be a bottom feeder, relegated to the minors, etc. How about instead of a reorg we just dump 5 or 6 of the 8 layers of management? How about we make the ‘Coach’ (the first level lead or manger) responsible & accountable… and maybe LISTENED TO!!! The folks getting sh-t done know what’s broken, just LISTEN to them.

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Post ID: @f6+1ka43va69

“Nothing destroys a company faster than hesitation. Nothing saves it faster than a leader who refuses to wait.”

Not sure anyone knows what’s going on anymore or how to right this ship.

Look at ADIDAS. Newish CEO. Simplified product, bet on the classics, gave power back to the teams (full ownership and accountability), removed the bureaucracy, and the way things are done. No overhype, no d-mb celebrity deals. Blowing it out of the water.

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Post ID: @c7+1ka43va69

Couldn’t agree more. This connects to the other post about HR. We are a boat without oars.

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Post ID: @bf+1ka43va69

Well stated! You're totally right. Hope they see this...
"Stability is a competitive advantage."

"bracing for impact every quarter." - is how everyone is living right now

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Post ID: @b9+1ka43va69

This.

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Post ID: @b4+1ka43va69

1000%, we’ve been lazy trying to change the direction of the company. Instead of inform us of the directions or more of a “ok time to do layoffs and just cut the low performers”

Sure that works the first time in a few years, but repeatedly doing it every 6 months (ELT hope your listening), causes significant more harm in any message you deliver. I’ve been through so many reorgs, I’ve gotten to the point of saying “ok got through that one, time to see where we’re going to move to in the next 6 months”

It’s lazy, and shaking that tree as a leader is just buying you time until the board cuts your head in 3 to 4 years. Sure you walk away with a golden parachute but I sure he-l wont ever work under you again.

Our leaders need to be held accountable. Taking benefits is one thing but continue to move people around doesn’t solve anything and causes significant more harm. As the Michael Jordan GIF goes “Stop it”

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Post ID: @aq+1ka43va69

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