Letting-go is one of the toughest things to do – At work & Outside of work…and I’m not just talking about Lay-Off’s!
I’ve had to deal with employees, who have joined from organizations they served for the past 8 – 10 years and do the dreadful thing of NOT letting go off their previous company! Really! It can get quite frustrating and at times even irritating. Think about this situation:
Employee A joins you from a company where he/she worked for the last 10 years. You understand the obligations (don’t know why there should be any?) and let hem serve out the entire notice period before joining your firm. Although they could have transitioned out within a week! After all, you think this gesture to be a “Professional Courtesy”. You (as HR) spend enough time with them after they join you, explaining things in detail. However, after a month you (again as HR) drop by to their desk to check if all’s well and if they need any help - least expecting a rant-session from them! All they can talk about is the difference between their previous company and your firm! Right from infrastructure, colleagues, cafeteria, computers/laptops, benefits, compensation structure and even culture!
So what’s the big deal, huh? Everyone compares their old cars to new ones, old homes to new homes, even old cell-phones to new ones! So why not jobs?!?
Here’s why I suppose one should you not compare:
1. You are hurting your very chance to sink into the new circumstance/situation. You are only agonizing yourself by pro-longing the settling-down time. The sooner the better!
2. Tendency is to overlook all positives at the new place! While you are still clinging on to your old company…
3. The team-dynamics will change dramatically and there’s no one else to blame…but yourself…
So here’s my question: Why is it so hard for people to let-go and start afresh? Wasn’t that the idea to even look for a change?
I guess that’s the answer then…we can’t let go because we are too wary of change. I’m not able to think of anything else.
Any suggestions?
- The HR Store
