I once worked for a venture capital-backed software company. Its product line was ahead of the installed base of equipment to run it. There were going to be layoffs. My title at that time was Special Projects Director. Immediately after the Senior Staff Meeting at which he told us about the layoffs, I went to my boss and said, “OK, when are you laying me off?” He said, “What makes you think you will get laid off?” I said, “Because that’s what I’d do if it was me.” Even though I solicited it, I still felt awful about it. I had never had any kind of involuntary separation. It took me a few weeks to adjust. Eventually, it led to bigger and better things.