When the Tide Turns: Stories of Exodus
The word “Exodus” gained popularity after the publication of Leon Uris’s book of the same name. It refers to the departure of many people from a city or situation. I have experienced two instances of “Exodus” that created a lot of tension in my life.
The first instance occurred during my first year of engineering. Many of my classmates left for their hometowns during examinations because they did not perform well. They decided to test in the supplementary examinations. The mass dropout situation unnerved me, and several friends left the hostel. I had three exams remaining and did not know what to do. I was very nervous because my father supported me with his hard-earned money. I could not give up and walk away. Although there was a lot of churn inside, I completed the balance of three exams with great difficulty and left for home. I knew my performance was average, but only some of us took the credit for writing all the examinations. It would have been tough to face my parents if I had walked out in the middle. Looking back, I do not know what external force helped me stay committed to my decision to continue writing.
The second instance, which happened during my career, was a period of profound loss and uncertainty. In my organization, the management had recruited the ‘best and the brightest’ of the industry with a grand vision. The organization started with a bang, but soon, the fault lines became apparent. The lack of an open, transparent culture and trust was glaring. Despite the need for the senior management to measure the pulse and make necessary amends, nothing happened. Many of my colleagues, including senior executives, left the organization within a few months, citing various reasons. The management remained oblivious to the departing voices and the loss of great talent. Three things happened. We quickly lost many skills and knowledge, and the sudden departure disrupted the organization’s social structure. Fear and anxiety permeated the office, and everyone became suspicious of each other. Lastly, there was immense pressure on the existing system to perform, and the quarterly numbers reflected the organization’s deteriorating health. I hoped for a significant shake-up and a fresh approach, but it had yet to materialize.
As a result, I was a sitting duck, and I could not decide. With two small children at home, my exit barriers became high.
Cliff hanger
Sitting at my desk, surrounded by the tangible tension of uncertainty and the silent calls for action, I wondered about the future. With a family at home relying on me, the stakes were higher than ever. Could I afford to jump ship, or is the risk too significant?
As I pondered my next move, the phone rang. It was an offer from another company, a lifeline thrown amidst the storm.
