EP 173: A Leader’s Guide to Tough Conversations with Anne Tomkinson

Struggling with the emotional weight of layoffs or tough team decisions?

Letting someone go is never easy—especially when they’ve done good work.

In my latest episode of The Executive Appeal Podcast, I sit down with Anne Tomkinson, Senior VP of People & Culture at the National Apartment Association, to unpack what it really feels like to navigate reductions in force—and how to do it with empathy, clarity, and integrity.

We dive into the real cost of these conversations—the emotional toll on leaders and team members—and why the how matters just as much as the decision itself.

🎧 Tune in now to learn:

✅ How to communicate hard decisions without dehumanizing people

✅ What to say (and what not to say) when someone's role is affected

✅ Why empathy isn’t weakness—it’s leadership

If you’re in a decision-making seat, this is required listening.

👥 Know a leader who’s facing tough calls right now? Tag them below.

👇 What’s the hardest part about managing layoffs with compassion?

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