Who needs people? Well, YOU DO!

Very often i hear a saying these days. People don't leave their jobs, they leave their bosses. More often than not, they leave start ups with promising growth, steady funding and work they like. What exactly is pushing them to move?

First of all, i am a huge cynic of the Indian start up ecosystem. Majority solve problems of only selected few and fighting over the small market (not by numbers and hence the funding) Very few appeal to me either by the uniqueness of their business model, sheer brilliance in execution or the tenacity of the founder. Despite the rat race, they make money in this crowded space and adapt by adding new revenue streams. Disheartening is when talent retention is a low priority in these companies.

I had a conversation with a friend over the same recently. He was frustrated over the politics that crept into his company with growth and new hiring. I asked why the founder doesn't observe this. He said the CEO would not have time for this. I was amused with that answer. May be a CEO would not who has to answer to a board and gt keep his job. But a business owner who is looking at a sustainable future for his company should have time for this. So the boss in my view the employee is leaving is the founder.

Growth seems like a seductive and great word these days. But what are you giving up in the quest for being the fastest? Where does the race end? Is being only fast going to ensure the company breathes or is there really enough pie for all of us? Well, I am not remotely qualified to have an answer for these questions decisively. Also i can see the technical difficulty in handling the unprecedented increase in the manpower that comes with the funding. But it is a loss to give up on company culture and retaining talent if one wants to be there for the long run (unless you are otherwise powerful).

Company culture doesn't come from giving an extravagant dinner or having a fooseball table in the canteen or painting the walls with inspirational quotes. Like many other things, it comes from hard work. It needs spending time on the ground. Talking to your team without judgment, not just your direct reporting and having the insight into people.

I am yet to see a start up with that orientation. I hope to see passionate employees sticking to a company not just for the growth they anticipate but also the connection they feel with the company.