For anybody who’s been handed a pink slip, this 12 months’s Tremendous Bowl affords extra than simply sports activities and music.
It is usually a uncommon show of office vindication.
On Sunday, the New England Patriots face off towards the Seattle Seahawks for the finale of the 2025-26 NFL season. Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel and Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold have been each beforehand with groups that forged them apart — most of which did not even make it to the playoffs this 12 months.
After all, getting dumped comes with the territory in professional sports activities. Vrabel was fired as the top coach of the Tennessee Titans in early 2024 after an influence wrestle with possession, whereas Darnold was handed over by 4 earlier groups: the Minnesota Vikings, San Francisco 49ers, the Carolina Panthers, and the New York Jets.
Now, each Vrabel and Darnold are on the high of their sport, their previous bosses are sidelined, and one is assured to stroll away with a trophy. (When you’re a Simpsons fan, cue Nelson Muntz’s “Ha ha!”)
“It is proof {that a} completely different setting makes an enormous distinction by way of your potential,” mentioned Roy Cohen, a profession coach in New York.
The identical logic applies to the enterprise world. Some individuals lose jobs as a result of they don’t seem to be a great match, solely to later thrive at different corporations.
“A foul marriage does not imply you are destined to all the time have a nasty marriage,” mentioned Cohen.
Getting fired is usually a highly effective motivator for individuals to stage up their profession, mentioned Dana Sumpter, affiliate professor of group principle and administration at Pepperdine Graziadio Enterprise College.
“Meaning I’ll double down on my efforts on the subsequent place, not solely to make sure that this does not occur once more, but additionally to indicate my former employer, ‘Look what you misplaced,’ ” she mentioned.
A consumer of Nashville-based profession coach Bryan Creely initially took a success to his self-confidence after being sacked from a healthcare startup a couple of years in the past. The consumer then modified his perspective, launched a job search, and is now in a better-paying, extra senior position at an organization the place he feels valued.
Creely mentioned that sort of finish result’s widespread. “In virtually each case, individuals have a tendency to come back out stronger,” he mentioned.
Feeling damage, indignant, or each is pure after losing a job, whatever the circumstances.
“After all, we’ve got revenge fantasies,” mentioned Laura Greve, a medical psychologist in Boston for C-suite executives, politicians, and different excessive achievers — and a Patriots fan.
It is not sensible, although, to lash out towards your former employer or the person who allow you to go.
“Making an attempt to persuade anyone that they’ve mistreated you is one thing I typically must counsel individuals towards,” she mentioned. “That is not productive.”
As an alternative, Greve recommends pouring your power into touchdown a greater position elsewhere — identical to Sunday’s matchup reveals. Getting additional forward in your profession at one other firm will be extremely satisfying, particularly in case your previous boss is more likely to hear about it. The leaders of the groups that Vrabel and Darnold used to work for are undoubtedly conscious that each males have moved on to new gigs the place they’re excelling.
“You are on the lookout for restorative justice,” mentioned Greve.
Likewise, do not gloat to former colleagues or in social-media posts after attaining a profession improve, otherwise you may damage your future profession prospects, warned Cohen. When verifying your work historical past, potential employers might find out about your bravado and never respect it.
“It is common for hiring managers to simply decide up the cellphone and name their buddies at different corporations for the down low,” he mentioned. “You do not wish to burn any bridges, even with employers who handled you badly.”