Have you been fired? No? You will be! You need to prepare and protect yourself and your family. When push comes to shove, when it's a matter of survival, the friend who hired or supervises you will think of his or her career, reputation, and the organization before thinking of you. If any of those are perceived by the boss to be better off by cutting you loose, then you're toast. That's a reality in today's volatile work environment. And that's why everyone needs to know how to prepare so they prosper through change.