Publish date:
“The crowning fortune of a man is to be born to some pursuit which finds him employment and happiness, whether it be to make baskets, or broadswords, or canals, or statues, or songs.”— Quote by Late Ralph Waldo Emerson, an American essayist, lecturer, philosopher
Ms Malti Bhandari, senior office with a diplomatic mission in India retired after nearly 4 decades of service within the same organisation. After graduation, she joined as a PA to an officer and with sheer hard work & dedication, she rose within the ranks. The perks of working with an international mission, the job satisfaction etc kept her committed to her career with the mission. These days can you think of anyone spending 4 decades in an organisation (if you leave the public servants or those working in government institutions). She is a symbol of a fading era when loyalty was ingrained, and people stuck to companies for decades.
Are you a working professional? How many jobs have you switched in your career? Few or many? What was the motivating factor – money, position or another factor? People leave jobs for a variety of reasons. Shall we look at some of them?
-
Money, money, money. The headline of the popular song from the1970s pop group ABBA of Sweden says it’s all. “I work all night, I work all day to pay the bills I have to pay. Ain't it sad? And still there never seems to be a single penny left for me, that’s too bad”. Getting a better pay packet is the primary driving force across the world. The need to better one’s life, earning and be well placed is a natural instinct for all, even it means taking wrong career decisions.
-
Position / post / designation. People change jobs to rise in their career, get better posts within the hierarchy and do well in their careers. Ambition is a good thing and people take steps to do well and rise as soon as they can. So, if somebody is offering a better deal, people will be silly not to take it up.
-
Unhappy in their current company for variety of reasons. People who are unhappy in their current assignment / department are demotivated and low and are always on the lookout for a better deal.
-
Unhappy with supervisor / manager. Issues or angst with immediate supervisor or even a rank higher or 2 can lead to frustration, unhappiness and “exit mode”. Switching roles / teams / departments enables the end to such a crisis in most cases and it should be used by companies on a pro – active manner.
-
Reflection of the career paths and lives on the occasion of personal milestones. These could be birthdays, wedding anniversaries, get togethers and reunions.
-
Peer success and pressure. “Keeping up with the Jones” factor definitely applies here especially for those who are ambitious, competitive and very social. The urge to do better than a neighbour, friend or relative drives certain sections of the population.
Is there any other reason we may have left out? Let us know by return email. Thank you for reading this blog. Have a great day!