For most of us, our work is a big piece of our sense of identity. We're more likely to say, "I am a general manager," than to say, "I manage and maintain a private club." We see part of what we do as who we are.

Part of the reason for this is that we generally find some measure of meaning, some intrinsic value, in the work we do. We often view our work as our greatest contribution to the greater scheme of things.

For many of us, our co-workers and fellow managers, make up a big chunk of our social circle. We certainly spend more hours with people at work than we do with anyone else, except maybe our families.

And as the source of the paycheck, work is our means of independence and livelihood.

Furthermore, we tend to pin our dreams and plans for the future on the faith that we will keep our job status, if not, on the hope that we will improve our job status.

It's no wonder that losing a job or failing to find a job when you need one is so traumatic!