Career setbacks offer data points, not definitive verdicts, says executive coach

Angela Justice, an executive coach, describes how a sudden layoff can feel like a verdict but is really just a data point.

She warns that people often turn the specific lesson from a setback into a broad rule, such as believing loyalty is foolish after a layoff, which can limit future opportunities.

Justice advises professionals to reflect on the actual event without overgeneralizing, using the experience to inform choices while avoiding rigid rules that may hinder career growth.