Is The Great Resignation Really The Great Exploration?

Acceldata SVP of Marketing Girish Bhat’s Outlook On The Great Resignation 

Acceldata’s Senior Vice President of Marketing Girish Bhat recently spoke on a social phenomenon occurring within job markets everywhere and especially in the world of data. Also known as the Great Resignation, companies everywhere are seeing a number of employees quitting to transition into new positions elsewhere. While the pandemic certainly had its role to play in current affairs, Girish believes the Great Resignation shows more below the surface. 

The Great Misnomer 

While popularly termed the Great Resignation, it may be more accurate to say that those in the job market are experiencing a transition more accurately described as the Great Exploration. While it’s true that companies are seeing more resignations after the pandemic, there are more factors in play than just that. Employees are seeing changes in their work environments, and employees are feeling enormous stress while navigating unknown dynamics. This is where the Great Exploration factors in. The pandemic highlighted components that employees were already dissatisfied with and maybe even created new ones -- whether an employee enjoyed remote work or wanted to stay in-office, for example. Ultimately, this sparked more interest in exploring options beyond their place of work. 

The Employee Perspective & The Employer Solution 

As established, a better term for the mass exodus companies are currently faced with may be the Great Exploration. What are employees exploring in particular? I believe most people are searching for a place they can really thrive as individuals by asking questions like: 

• Is this a work culture I can identify with and be near? 
• What’s the scope to experiment or learn in this environment? 
• How can I thrive in this environment, both as an individual and as an employee? 
• Does this position enhance my career? 

Employees want a sense of purpose and one they can connect with on a personal level. Gone are the days when employees will stay in jobs that no longer feel fulfilling to them. While the pandemic isn't the sole reason for this societal shift, it did open up several avenues of experimentation that are now available for many in the workforce. These people can choose to work remotely from anywhere in the world. Why would they stay somewhere they didn’t feel was best suited for their interests when companies with cultures they better align with have become viable options? Simply put, they aren’t. 

The employee perspective then becomes an opportunity for the employer’s solution. 

Creating a Work Culture Where Employees Can Thrive 

In order to retain employees and attract new talent, the Great Exploration has forced companies to rethink their approach to employment. The option of remote work opened a world of possibilities for employees, creating a responsibility for employers to forge a company people want to work for. They can achieve this by asking, “How can I make the company and the work we’re doing more interesting for people who come from different cultural backgrounds, different interests and even different skill sets?” 

Employee retention is no longer just about ensuring employee engagement. Employers must now consider how they are engaging employees in a way that they can thrive and feel fulfilled in their roles. 

Advice From An SVP: Girish Bhat

I’m of the opinion that talent can be anywhere in the world. If there are people who have communication skills, have modern marketing skills and can be available when they need to be, I am open to them working anywhere. I am used to working with great talent not only in the US and Canada but also in India, Poland, Romania, North Macedonia, Italy, Australia, Ukraine, Singapore and many more countries. Data is becoming a 24-hour job because of how digital the world has become. There’s talent everywhere on a global scale, and it’s important for a company in this field to have those who can address challenges strategically and in a timely manner. Furthermore, metrics are best used when they aim to create a shared vision and commitment across the team and company. Ensuring company goals are met is important, but addressing individual achievements and whether employees need help completing projects are vital in creating the proper work culture. 

For those trying to break into the data space, now more than ever it’s important to understand where you are on your journey, know what you’re good at, and find the right company match. Don’t get caught up in being a specialist in your field. Generalists can learn all aspects of their role and can make the largest impacts long-term. There is always a company. It may not be an exciting name brand, but life is a journey. It may have multiple stops along the way. Just know, it doesn’t need to be the shortest line to get there.

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Photo by marius sebastian on Unsplash