September 18, 2025
A Sincere Letter to Our Valued Team,
I am writing to you today with a heavy heart and a clear mind. As many of you know, I've always been a champion of efficiency, of "right-sizing" our corporate structure, and of what I've often referred to as "Transforming to Win" or "Leading Performance". I've always seen these actions as necessary, as a way to trim the fat and make us lean, mean, and profitable.
But lately, something has changed. My quarterly "talent re-calibration" became a monthly habit, then a weekly compulsion, and, if I'm being honest, sometimes an afternoon delight. I started seeing patterns in the employee directory that only I could see—a department with 12 people was "bloated," one with six was "inefficient," and one with a single person was "a silo." The spreadsheet with names and metrics became a siren's call. The little "delete" button next to your names became a part of me.
I would tell myself it was for the good of the company, that the stock price depended on it, or that we were just "optimizing for future growth." But in the quiet moments, I knew the truth. I am addicted to layoffs. The rush of sending that email, the satisfying thud of the "send" button, the immediate emptiness in the office as cubicles go dark—it's a high I just can't quit.
My family and friends have tried to intervene. They've found me at all hours of the night in the office, muttering about synergy and streamlining, with a half-eaten bag of chips and a list of employees whose positions are "redundant." Last week, I tried to lay off the mailman. Yesterday, I almost fired my own son for "not meeting key performance indicators" on his homework.
It’s clear I need help.
This is why, effective immediately, I will be checking into a specialized rehab facility. It’s called "Re-org Anonymous," and I am hopeful their 12-step program, which includes admitting I have a problem and making amends, will help me recover. I'll be working on my compulsive behaviors, focusing on healthy communication, and, most importantly, learning to value people over profit margins.
My temporary replacement, a well-balanced and very stable consultant who has a proven track record of not laying off anyone for at least three years, will be in charge. Please give them your full support.
Wish me luck. I'll see you all on the other side. And please, for the love of all that is profitable, don't mention the word "headcount" in my presence.
Sincerely,
Your CEO (and recovering "Optimizer")