Full Session Replay: Now What? Hear How Former V-Teamers Turned a Layoff Into Their Next Chapter
- Darren Webster
- Dec 14, 2025
- 4 min read
Updated: Aug 5
Verizon announced layoffs impacting more than 13,000 employees, with more recently in 2026, and the response from the V Team community was immediate. People didn’t just want sympathy — they wanted clarity, options, and real examples of what comes next.
We've been there before and understand what they're going through.
That’s why we brought together some former V Team leaders who’ve already walked this path — and turned disruption into opportunity.
Watch the full replay or the individual segments below, and explore the different career paths and resources available to you.
Key Takeaways From the Session
This job market requires a different playbook than the one most V Teamers used internally
Verizon experience is deeply transferable — but only if you position it correctly
There is no single “right” path — but five viable ones that V-Teamers can explore
Execution speed matters: every week saved = real income
The Verizon network can be the critical advantage you have in your search
You don’t have to do this alone — structure and accountability change outcomes
Watch the Full Session or Individual Segments Below
Why This Session Mattered
Layoffs create two simultaneous problems:
Emotional shock and uncertainty
Decision paralysis on the next steps to take
What this session aimed to do differently was normalize the experience and immediately move V-Teamers toward actionable paths forward — led by people who have already made the transition successfully.
As one of our speakers put it:
“You will realize very quickly — you’re better than most of the people you’ll be competing against.”
— Anna Bailey, Fractional Executive & Former Verizon Leader
Five Paths Former V Teamers Have Successfully Taken
Below are the same paths covered in the live session, with short video clips, context, and next-step resources for each.
1. Landing Your Next Full-Time Role — Faster & Smarter
Glen Brogno shared a candid look at what surprised him most after leaving Verizon:
The process takes longer than expected (often 5–6 months or longer)
LinkedIn is no longer optional — it’s the front door
Rejection is common and not personal
Staying disciplined and leveraging your network is key
“Your job every day is to look for a job. Don’t take days off.”
— Glenn Brogno, Director of Sales, Comploy (HR SaaS Company)
2. Contracting & Consulting — Getting Back to Income Faster
Julian Vail shared how he landed a contract role with AT&T:
Moved significantly faster than traditional hiring
Leveraged telecom credibility immediately
Turned into real influence and satisfaction
“Most contracting roles bypass the formal HR process entirely.”
— Julian Vail, Cybersecurity Program Manager
3. Fractional Leadership — Fewer Clients, More Control
Fractional leadership is not gig work — it’s owning a function inside multiple companies.
Anna Bailey highlighted her path to becoming a Fractional Chief Revenue Officer:
Small and Mid-market demand for top tier talent is exploding
Companies may not hire a full time leader, but many look to fractionals
2–3 clients can exceed typical corporate compensation
Verizon leaders are uniquely suited for this career path
“Don’t look down the mountain in desperation. Design your future.”
— Anna Bailey, Fractional Executive
4. Advisory & Consulting — Monetizing What You Know
Anand Sundaram broke down how former V Teamers can leverage their experience and networks to:
Advise companies selling into Verizon and telecom
Package institutional knowledge ethically and legally
Create opportunities by leveraging your network
Build retainers + success-based compensation
“That $80–$100B Verizon spends every year? Someone is selling into that.”
— Anand Sundaram, Telecom Advisor & Executive
5. Business Ownership — Buying Instead of Starting From Scratch
Justin Stiehr shared how he went in a different direction altogether:
Used accessible financing to buy an established business
Applied Verizon disciplines to drive small-business growth
Found clarity and fulfillment through ownership
“Clarity is the lifeblood of momentum.”
— Justin Stiehr, Business Owner & Former Verizon Leader
How Goalster Fits Into All of This
What will get you hired or into your next role sooner is all about how you execute.
Whether you’re:
Searching for a job
Exploring consulting or advisory work
Building a fractional portfolio
Evaluating business ownership
…Goalster provides:
Structured plans and training
Weekly execution rhythms
Accountability for executing better
Community support so you're not alone
Proven tools that keep you moving forward faster
“Every week you can accelerate your path is worth thousands of dollars in your pocket.”
— Darren Webster
Your Next Step Towards a Better Place
You don’t need to decide everything today.
But you do need momentum.
Choose the path that resonates most and explore the resources linked above.
Join upcoming sessions and follow-on events.
Get support instead of trying to white-knuckle this alone.
We’re still the V Team — and we’re building what comes next together.
“You are the CEO of your career, Head of Sales, and CMO for you as the product and solution. Success in your next step is about clarity, disciplined execution, and becoming more than just a name on a resume.”
Darren Webster, Founder of Goalster & Former Verizon Leader
Darren Webster is the Founder and CEO of Goalster, a technology and services company helping people and organizations achieve their most important goals through better execution, performance enablement, and ongoing development.
A former world championship-level athlete for Australia in sprint canoeing, Darren spent 15 years leading large teams at Verizon, where he developed a deep understanding of organizational high performance, along with the coaching and consulting industry.
Driven by a passion for helping people and teams reach their full potential, Darren built Goalster as a performance enablement platform designed to drive better results through execution, coaching, training, and accountability.
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