Amazon has laid off around 14,000 employees which is nearly 4% of its white-collar workforce. Reports say that the number could rise to as many as 30,000 corporate job cuts.

Beyond the Numbers

Behind every cut is a story. A developer who debugged through the night. A recruiter who helped build entire teams now watching their own role vanish. For many, this was not just a job, it was a matter of their identity, their routine and their future plan. Now, they have to start over. The psychological impact of such sudden loss is often underestimated. It leaves behind not only financial uncertainty but a deeper sense of disorientation. And yet, these moments are not new.

The way I see it, what is happening at Amazon is not about individuals failing. It is the system adjusting and resetting itself in response to change. There is a shift from more people and more code to fewer people and deeper impact. For years, more engineers meant faster development and larger teams meant broader ambition. The new model that has emerged now favours over the depth like smaller teams with higher strategic advantage, professionals who combine technical skill with strategic thinking and one that has more adaptable capability. This shift does not devalue people, it redefines value.

For Those Affected: Your Skills Did Not Disappear Overnight

In most cases, layoffs happen because of business decisions, market changes, restructuring or timing things that are completely outside an individual’s control.

If you are one of the people impacted by these layoffs, it is important to hear this clearly: your skills did not suddenly lose relevance or worth. Markets shift, business priorities change and organizational strategies evolve with time. Many well-known founders, leaders and innovators in the tech world have gone through major career shifts after unexpected job losses. These moments did not define their limits, in fact, it became a turning point that pushed them toward growth or something better aligned with their strengths. Being laid off does not erase the skills, experience or strength that you have built over years of work.

This moment, painful as it is, may offer something unexpected: space. It gives you a space to reassess what you want to build, learn or contribute next and a space to explore paths beyond a corporate life. Disruption does not always destroy you and sometimes, it liberates you.

For Those Still Inside: Fear Should Not Paralyze You

For employees who remain, the emotional situation is complicated. The relief you feel comes up with guilt and gratitude mixed with anxiety. There will be a question following you always: Will I be next?

This fear is natural, but it can also be damaging if it is left unchecked.

One should consider this period of restructuring as opportunities to reposition themselves by learning new skills that align with where the organization is heading and not where it has been. Here, adaptability matters more than anything else. The people who succeed are mostly the ones who can adjust quickly, learn new skills, work with different teams and understand how everything fits together.

The workplace is constantly changing, so waiting quietly for things to settle down is no longer realistic because stability is not guaranteed. That is why it’s important to take control of your own career. Instead of waiting for others to decide your role or future, actively rethink how your skills can evolve and where you can add value. This mindset is not fearful, it is a smart and necessary way to protect your growth and stay relevant in a changing professional world.

The Responsibility of Founders and Leaders

The early days of any industry are chaotic and expansive. As industries grow older, they demand clarity, accountability and sustainability. Technology is no exception here. The next chapter will not be defined by how many people a company hires, but by how thoughtfully it uses human intelligence alongside machines.

We are all part of that transition whether we are hiring, getting hired or trying to survive another restructuring. So be kind, reach out and recommend someone who has been let go. The gestures that may feel small like offering advice, referrals or simply a listening ear accumulate into something larger: a culture that remembers its humanity. And if you are the one who just received that email, the one that altered your plans, then you should know that your story is not over. The industry you helped to build is still here, still changing and still in need of skilled people. Tech is not ending. It is evolving. And so are you.

What are your thoughts on this?