Cross Pollination

Along with the rest of the things that I have realized and learned in Bangalore, I realized the meaning of the word attrition. It is more because of where I was born and brought up, I did not care to realize the meaning. Actually, we do not come across this word even by chance in armed forces. I have observed, a defense personnel leaves a job only either with dignity and pride (after retirement) or embarrassment (after court martial).
The other day, I was out for lunch at well known golf resort off Mysore road. When I was entering the dinning room, I noticed, at the far end of the room one of the waiters was smiling at me. I smiled back in reciprocation and continued with my meal. After sometime I felt, I have seen the person somewhere else, but I could not recollect where. After settling the bill, while I was exiting, the same person came to me and said, “Sir, Srikant, do you remember me?” after a brief pause, I replied, “Oh yes Srikant, how are you? How come you are here?”. Although, I precisely knew what he was doing there, I asked him that silly question.
I was meeting Srikant after a gap of almost 7 months. Last time, when I saw him he was working for another small restaurant in the city where he was coordinating between the waiters, probably he was a head waiter. It must be sheer coincidence, I have been meeting Srikant time and again. First time, he was working for a club where I frequented for recreation almost everyday, last year. He has not changed much, except, he has grown, presumably in terms of his designation (and/or remuneration). Srikant is as envisioned as any other person in IT (information technology) sector, who can see himself big, in future. His vision motivated him to change jobs very often. Albeit, rolling stone did not gather moss but it definitely gathered motion this time. I do not know if he could finally reach where he wanted to see himself.

With my little experience, I have found immediate advantages of shifting jobs and to my astonishment the disadvantages are fewer. Change of a company is as good as changing a project within the same company, unless of course, if you do not get a hike or a promotion. Although, there is a probability of working with the same person in the same company, adding to the comfort, but at the price of growing personal network in the new company with new team members. Remember, one should not miss an opportunity to grow his personal network. Another worthwhile benefit, the new environment will keep oneself amused for some more time, before the decision to move on prevails.
On the other hand employer gets better of the employee (who leaves) because, when there is attrition, recruitment follows. The lateral hires bring in new ideas, new imagination and residual of the best practices from all the previous organizations. I feel, an organization must motivate people to go away, so that prospect to evolve and grow is not lost, from never ending cross pollination (the transfer of pollen from one of the flower of one plant to the flowers of a different plant, via bees – one of the mediums).

I was wondering, if the same logic is applied for armed forces what will be the outcome, will the defense personnel have same prospects and benefits. Assume, what if, a soldier from one armed of the forces of one country joins another country’s force. Frankly, I have not heard anything like that till now and may God forbid such instances in the future. But if in case it happens, will I be safe and secure, as I am today? Will I be merrily shifting jobs (only if we had enough jobs in India)? I am happy to keep the question unresolved keeping my earnest faith on God.

And with the hope of shifting jobs frequently, I recollect the Arabian proverb - “He who has health has hope; and he who has hope has everything.”