The Layoff Paradox: Rachel Bourne’s Take on the Future of Work

When headlines scream about 1.1 million layoffs, it's easy to blame the usual suspects: automation, artificial intelligence, corporate cost-cutting. But according to Rachel Bourne, global HR strategist, licensed architect, and host of The Shift Show, the truth is far more nuanced. On the latest episode of The Human Capitalist Podcast, Bourne rejects the simple narrative that AI alone is responsible for wide-scale disruption. The real culprits, she suggests, are deeper economic trends and organizational blind spots that have persisted for years.

I tend to agree with her.

Bourne's perspective is unique. With 20 years at Fortune 500s, she moves seamlessly between strategy, systems design, and people-focused transformation during our conversation. One quote that struck me was:

“Layoffs aren't just tech fallout—they're signals that organizations haven’t adapted quickly enough to market evolutions.”

Maybe it’s not the robots we should fear, but the lag in how companies respond to changing demand and workplace expectations silently steer hiring and firing cycles.

📺 Watch the full episode here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qs1aA8_0sd0

The Checkerboard Career: Rethinking Professional Growth

In one of the episode’s highlights, I got Rachel to introduce her Checkerboard Career tool. She first mentioned this to me after Unleash Paris over champagne and I told her we had to hash it out on the podcast.

It's a practical metaphor and mindset for navigating pivots and setbacks in your career. Forget the vertical climb that many of us grew up with. She advocates for diagonals and sideways moves that add dimensions to your expertise, making you more valuable across industries.

“Linear progress is outdated. Careers now resemble checkerboards: each move, even backwards or sideways, can create options and momentum. It’s up to you to design the board, not just play the game.”

For corporate professionals shaken by uncertainty or looking to future-proof themselves, her tool offers guidance grounded in reality. In today’s economy, the ability to zig and zag—to pivot without panic might become the superpower that separates those who thrive from those who merely survive.

Actionable Takeaways from Bourne’s Playbook

• Don’t fall for the hype about AI as the sole disruptor; look at broader trends and get informed about lagging indicators and market shifts.

• Understand that not all job postings reflect real opportunities, and focus instead on building portable skills and cultivating your reputation—inside and outside your organization.

• Redefine career paths using a checkerboard strategy. Diagonal moves are often the most valuable, building resilience and opening up new doors even in volatile markets.