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This is a true story
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Let’s call him Rahul.
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Quiet. Committed. Always delivered on time. Never made noise. Never missed a deadline.
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One day, he walked into my cabin and said, “I think it’s time for a change.”
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It caught me off guard. He wasn’t the type to escalate or complain.
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But that was the problem.
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He had been asking for change. Just not loudly.nHe had been dropping signals. I just wasn’t listening.
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And by the time I realized it, he had made up his mind.
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If you’re a manager reading this, here’s your wake-up call
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When someone on your team says:
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“I want a release from this project.”
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“I need a change.”
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“I’ve been doing the same thing for years.”
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They’re not just stating facts.
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They’re telling you something deeper:
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“I feel invisible.”
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“I’m not growing.”
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“I’m tired of being stuck.”
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“I don’t see a future here.”
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And here’s the part no one tells you:
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Top talent rarely screams.nThey whisper.nAnd when unheard, they walk away quietly.
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How It Really Plays Out
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Step 1: They ask for feedback.
nStep 2: They suggest a rotation.
nStep 3: They start skipping team calls.
nStep 4: They update their LinkedIn.
nStep 5: You get the resignation letter.
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It’s not sudden. It’s slow. And it’s 100% preventable.
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Imagine This Visual
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The message was there all along. You just didn’t read it.
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What It Costs You When They Leave
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You lose deep domain knowledge.
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Team morale takes a hit.
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Clients notice the churn.
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Replacements take 3-6 months to ramp up.
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And most importantly:
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You lose someone who wanted to stay – if only someone had listened.
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4 Things You Can Do Right Now
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1. Talk about careers, not just tasks
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Ask: “Where do you want to go next?” Do this before they ask you for it.
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2. Recognize beyond results
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Appreciate consistency, not just the big bang moments.
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3. Support internal moves
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Don’t hoard talent. Grow it.
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4. Follow through
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If someone asks for a change, don’t say, “Let’s revisit next quarter.” Say, “Let’s create a plan.”
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Final Thought
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People don’t quit jobs.
nThey quit being unheard.
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Great talent doesn’t leave overnight.
nIt leaves after being unheard for too long.
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Follow Anand Vaishampayan for more real stories and actionable insights on career growth, leadership, and workplace transformation.