Why was it painful to leave the TATA Group?
Being a part of one of the companies of the prestigious Tata Group, I was certainly doing great. However, there was one problem. I felt that the growth of the organization did not satisfy my aspirations. I always wanted more; I was convinced that there was a possibility of doing more.
So, I took, what I believe was, one of the toughest decisions in my life: leaving the TATA Group.
I had by that time, worked for and left multiple companies.
But leaving TATAs was different.
I was proud of working for TATA Group.
The opportunity that I had in hand was that of the India CEO at Gallup. I was faced with one of the second biggest dilemmas in my career. (The biggest was setting up WE-Matter vs. taking up another job). I wanted to be a CEO at 40. On the one hand, this opportunity helped me achieve my career goal. On the other hand, the deep desire to work with TATA Group surpassed all the excitement I had to join Gallup.
I was left wondering about some of my friends working in the army, serving the nation in Kargil.
How is working for the army and TATA similar?
The Purpose of the army, to serve and protect Mother India, made working for the army pious, so selfless, and pure. Those who are from the army pour their heart and soul into protecting their country, their beloved motherland, so much so that it overshadows the struggles of low compensation, risking their lives, and staying away from their families for a long time. In their heart lies the pride of serving the country till the very end.
I think what makes the TATA Group unique is the connection with the Purpose of the group. The group’s Purpose is to serve so society and do good for the country. The Purpose was instilled in every person who worked there.
Although Gallup offered me a compensation that was 2.5 times that of my compensation at Tata Group, it was the strong connection that I had developed with the Group made it tough for me to leave. A strong sense of Purpose is the biggest tool for enhancing performance and reducing attrition.
Although I ended up leaving the company because of my career aspirations and compensation requirements, I still take pride in having worked for TATA.
It is the sense of Purpose that compensates for the compensation, job roles and hierarchy.
It always makes one feel as if one was leaving an integral part of one’s identity when one leaves such a company.
Hence, I decided to give utmost importance to PURPOSE in the W.E.-Matter model. Our Purpose is the foundation of the W.E.-Matter organization.