“Managed Out”, The Alarming Reality You’re Not Imagining

Let’s start with the truth: if you feel like you’re being managed out of your workplace, you’re not imagining it. You’re not overreacting. And no, it’s definitely not “all in your head.”

For decades, Black professionals, especially Black women, have raised their voices about being systematically pushed out of workplaces. Whether through microaggressions, toxic environments, or outright hostility, these experiences are real; and they have real emotional and financial consequences.

Yet, how many times have you heard, “Maybe you misunderstood,” or, “Are you sure it’s not just you?” Sound familiar? These dismissive responses only add salt to the wound, making you question your intuition and sanity.

Now, with widespread examples of employees being “managed out” on a national stage, the truth is glaringly obvious. And it’s about time we start calling it what it is.

Validation Feels Good…But Healing Feels Better After Being Managed Out

For many, seeing the issue of being managed out finally recognized can feel like a small victory. After years of being gaslit, hearing, “You were right all along” offers a sense of relief.

But let’s be honest, validation doesn’t automatically heal the wounds. Knowing your pain is real doesn’t erase the sleepless nights, the anxiety, or the hit to your self-esteem.

Healing isn’t about someone else acknowledging your experience; it’s about reclaiming your power. It’s about understanding that what happened to you is not a reflection of your worth. Healing is a journey, not a destination.

My Journey Through Isolation and Anger

Before I became an executive coach, I lived through the pain of being managed out. Let me tell you, it was a long, lonely road.

I spent what felt like an eternity stuck in the anger phase. I was furious, so furious, I would shake and cry just thinking about the situation. The betrayal and injustice consumed me.

The worst part? No one seemed to understand. I heard the same unhelpful advice over and over: “Just move on,” or, “Let it go.” But how do you move on when you feel like a part of your identity has been ripped away?

It’s a journey I wouldn’t wish on anyone, but it’s also one that taught me resilience. And it’s the reason I’m so passionate about helping others heal.

A National Crisis in the Workplace

If you think being managed out is just an isolated experience, think again. This is a systemic issue affecting individuals and entire communities.

Take, for example, the recent wave of layoffs and restructuring across the United States. Families are being torn apart, communities are destabilized, and employees are left wondering what they did wrong. Spoiler alert: they didn’t do anything wrong.

The ripple effects go beyond the individual. Small businesses, nonprofits, and even local economies suffer when people are pushed out of their careers. This isn’t just a workplace issue, it’s a societal one.

You Are Not Disposable

Let me say this loud and clear: you are not disposable. You are not lazy. You are not unworthy.

Being managed out has nothing to do with your productivity or potential. It’s often a reflection of systemic issues, biases, and toxic workplace cultures, not your abilities.

Your story matters, and your healing is possible. It starts with rejecting the lies you’ve been told about your worth and embracing the truth: you are resilient, capable, and deserving of a workplace that values you.

Introducing: Unbreak My Soul Safe Spaces

Healing doesn’t have to be a solo journey. That’s why I’ve created Unbreak My Soul Safe Spaces, a group session designed for women who’ve experienced workplace trauma.

These sessions are based on the transformational work of Dr. Carey Yazeed and are tailored to help you process, heal, and reclaim your wholeness.

Imagine a space where your voice is heard, your story is honored, and your pain is acknowledged. Not minimized. That’s what Safe Spaces offers: a sanctuary for healing.

Heal the Wounds, Reclaim Your Power

Being managed out can leave you feeling powerless, but that’s not the end of your story. Within Safe Spaces, you’ll find the tools and support you need to rebuild your confidence and reclaim your authority.

We focus on honoring your journey, not as a tale of failure, but as proof of your strength and resilience. Your trauma doesn’t define you; it highlights your ability to rise above adversity.

Healing begins the moment you stop questioning your pain and start embracing your power.

The Power of Community

One of the most powerful aspects of Safe Spaces is the community it creates. Healing in isolation is hard, but healing alongside others who understand your experience? That’s transformative.

Our sessions are intentionally small. Just 10 women per group session to ensure every voice is heard and every story is honored. It’s a space free from judgment, where vulnerability is met with compassion and strength.

Together, we create an environment where healing feels not only possible but inevitable.

Your Past Is Not Your Prison

If there’s one thing I want you to take away from this, it’s this: your past is not your prison. The experiences that hurt you do not have to hold you back.

Think of your past as evidence, not of failure, but of your ability to persevere. You’ve survived challenges that would have broken others, and that makes you powerful beyond measure.

Healing isn’t about erasing the past; it’s about transforming it into a source of strength and wisdom.

Ready to Start Your Healing Journey?

If you’re ready to stop surviving and start thriving, I invite you to join an Unbreak My Soul Safe Spaces group session.

You don’t have to navigate this journey alone. Together, we’ll process the pain, rebuild your confidence, and empower you to move forward with clarity and purpose.

This is your time to heal. This is your time to rise.

Together, We Rise

Being managed out can feel like the end, but it’s not. It’s the start of a new chapter. One where you take back control of your narrative and reclaim your power.

You are not alone. You are not imagining it. And you don’t have to face it without support.

Let’s heal together. Let’s rise together. Let’s reclaim what’s ours.

🔗 Learn more about joining a Safe Spaces session here

I’m a certified executive coach and an ICF Professional Certified Coach (PCC) for Twanna Carter Professional & Personal Coaching, LLC. I flubbed my first career transition from the military so badly, it took me the next 10+ years to build my confidence and  recover. I know what it feels like to struggle with imposter syndrome and uncertainty about my leadership skills in the workplace. It’s why I am dedicated to empowering Black women. Helping them navigate career challenges and uncertainty by providing them with the tools and strategies they need to be successful. Schedule a V.I.P. Roadmap session today.

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