Zain is a good performer at his company – Opinion Limited, a media publishing house and is doing well at work. Over the last couple of years he has grown in his role and been lauded for remarkable initiatives he led. However in the last few months he has been dropping the ball on initiatives and his manager has provided periodic feedback on his performance. The team has also noticed that Zain, unlike before, doesn’t respond to e-mails and seems disengaged. Poonam, his team member decides to have a chat with him. Here is a summary from their conversation.
Poonam: “Zain, how have you been?”
Zain: “I am fine. Why do you ask?”
Poonam: “Well, I see your behavior change over the last few months and even what you deliver at work is missing the quality and timeliness you exhibited when you joined”
Zain: “Hmm. Is it? I am doing what I can – you see.”
Poonam: “But, that is strange. You haven’t been like this before. You missed sending out an important communication to Prithvi, our Director on the key project our team was working on. You put the team’s credibility at stake. You ignored numerous e-mail follow-ups from Prathibha, our CEO on the event that you were to lead. Last but not the least – you went on leave without a handover – is that acceptable?”
Zain: “Most of that is underway. I will get it to sometime. Been very busy with the end of year report and the mindfulness opinion research.”
Poonam: Zain, look – let us rewind to when you joined 3 years ago. Is that how you were then? Were you not up and about and focused on the deliverables much more than now? Do you see the impact you are having on your team and your credibility as a professional?”
Zain: “I must say I this – have got bored of doing the same stuff and have decided to move on. I have got a better job and I don’t care what happens here. I am indifferent to what people say. I will move on and life will be fine.”
Poonam: “Oh. Even if that is the reason, don’t you think you must be still as committed to the team and stakeholders till you leave the firm? Have you talked to Ramya, our team leader?”
Zain: “I have and will do whatever little till I am around.”
Poonam: “Zain, how does that justify the support and recognition you have received from Ramya and the organization over the years. They noticed your potential and gave you opportunities to learn and grow, become a more rounded professional and encouraged you to pursue your interests outside of work. Is there something I am missing?”
Zain: “Well, who cares? I have been working hard and doing my best. Sometimes, things will slip and sometimes they won’t.”
Poonam: “Is that how you want to leave the team and the organization? In a shape worse that when you joined?”
Zain: “Why do you say that? I have given it everything I had – stayed late hours on projects, been multitasking on numerous assignments etc. Why do you say this now when I am leaving?”
Poonam: “It is what is visible and what your actions indicate who you are as a person and professional. No one can stop you from leaving. But is this professional behavior to do what you are doing? What is the legacy you want to leave behind?”
Are Zain’s actions justified? What are the implications of such actions? Is Poonam right about her observations? What advice do you have for Zain? Keen to know what you think.
This post was first shared on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/i-am-quitting-my-job-how-does-matter-leave-aniisu
