So someone close to you lost their job!

Don’t treat a person in this situation like they have been diagnosed with a terminal illness.

Be one of the first to reach out and extend support, try to get the person out of the house, to lunch, coffee, a park, somewhere you can relax and talk.

Make positive comments that remind the person of their value, their great skills, terrific reputation and attitude.

Offer to start strategizing and networking as soon as the person starts getting out of the funk. Ask about their possible next steps and give constructive leads you are very sure of.

Do not exclude the person from activities that you do together that involve financial commitments, wait for cues about financial hardships and offer help where you can.

Don’t make empty promises you don’t plan to honor “call me if you need anything”, “I will reach out to all my contacts and make them available to you”

Don’t engage in tough love like “you don’t have time to mop around; you have got to jump right back into the scene before you lose your edge”.

Bottom line act the way you always do with the affected person!