Should I Join My Former Boss's New Consultancy or Stay in My Current HR Role?

Dear Seniors, I am working in a Pharma Company in HR, with a total of 5 years of experience entirely in HR. Due to some politics, my boss left the organization and started his own consultancy firm. Now he wants me to leave the office and join him (with the same CTC + 2% profit). Please advise if this would be appropriate or not.

Regards, Aarti

It is advisable to stay in your existing organization instead of working with a consulting firm. Moreover, is it a recruitment consultancy or something else? If so, then the experience may not add much value.

Thank you for your valuable advice. Yes, Mr. Jeevarathnam, it is a recruitment consultancy with a plan to transform into a complete HR solution firm in the future. However, my experience lies only with companies, and that too in a generalist profile.

Arti, your conundrum is the product of your competence. Obviously, you are good at what you do; otherwise, you wouldn't be invited to join your boss in his new whirlwind adventure.

Have you seen Jerry Maguire? It's the Tom Cruise and Renee Zellweger movie. Exactly the same situation as yours! If you haven't, I strongly urge you to watch it. At least the first 45 minutes—minus the romance bits, that is!

Arti, whether you do or you don't join your boss in his new venture actually depends on a number of factors—some more important than others.

Important Factors to Consider

Some important factors that you must consider include:

1. Your age and your financial security
2. Your financial commitments (mortgage EMIs, credit card debt levels, etc.)
3. Your family and social commitments (kids, partners, parents, siblings, etc.)

But, above all, you need to take a long and hard look at yourself—by which I mean your career aspirations and professional goals.

And, along with the above, you also need to be brutally honest with yourself regarding your risk appetite—your personal and professional risk appetite.

You don't indicate the size and nature of your current company. If it's a large enough company that gives you a decent sense of job security with an equally decent career enhancement opportunity, and if you don't have a high-risk appetite, my suggestion is to stay put where you are.

Conversely, if your risk appetite is high, coupled with your sense of adventure with minimal or no financial, social, and other commitments, then it is something worth considering.

I also run a small business, and it's very tempting to poach competent people from medium to large organizations—for obvious reasons. But, while it may seem great for a Personal Assistant to carry a new title of 'Executive Assistant to the Managing Partner,' the dynamics of and opportunities in medium to large businesses are totally different from SME or SMB sectors—particularly for StartUps—which is what your boss's business is.

Look, I can go on and on. I am sure you get the gist here.

I would hate to see a fledgling career destroyed with a youthfully impulsive decision with scant regard to its probable consequences (or not).

I hope this helps you. Good luck!

I have already made my decision since I know my competence level, but there was this conundrum because I am on very good professional terms with my boss, and he has shaped my career (yes, I am a bit too emotional). So, somewhere, I thought if I should repay him with this, but of course, I don't have a high-risk appetite.

Anyways, thank you for such a wonderful reply. Actually, I am working with a pharma company whose turnover is 200 Cr. Due to issues in the office, there is no job security, and the pay is not as per my expectations. But since my boss has resigned, all the responsibilities have been given to me, and I am handling the whole HR along with the two reportees, which is challenging in itself. Furthermore, looking at my work, there will be no recruitment above me as decided by the management.

As far as financial risk is concerned, since I am single and stay with my parents, there is no financial commitment as such.

However, I got your point, and yes, I will definitely watch the movie mentioned by you.

Thanks.

Professional and Emotional Boundaries

Never mix your professional commitments and emotions. It will not take you anywhere. People come into your life with a motive and purpose. You need to embark on your own journey. The workplace is a part of corporate life, and a good leader knows how to manage it rather than getting trapped in it. I doubt if you even know the real reasons involved in the termination of your boss.

Dear Mr. Sanjeev,

Thanks for your advice. I actually know the reason for his leaving; it was just a few decisions made by him under pressure from his seniors, which led to this story. Yes, but after all this, I have surely learned never to mix your professional life with your emotions.

Thanks again

Don't leave your existing organization at any cost. Secondly, if you think that there is a lot of workload on you and you are not capable of handling that workload or the pay is very low compared to the workload, then try to switch over to another company. But don't join a consultancy firm. Your career will come to an end in no time if you join a consultancy firm at a young age. Even if you feel that the pay is high in a consultancy firm initially, your progress will stop in no time at a later stage. If you have about 20 years of job experience, then in that case, it is advisable to join a consultancy firm.

Regards,
V V Harish
[Email Removed For Privacy Reasons]

Totally agree with you, Harish—even though I myself run a consulting firm. But yes, in advising Arti (and any other readers who are following this post), you are absolutely correct! Thank you!