Close Menu
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    • Our Story
    • Partner with us
    • Reach Us
    • Career
    Subscribe Newsletter
    HR KathaHR Katha
    • Exclusive
      • Exclusive Features
      • Research
      • Point Of View
      • Case In Point
      • Dialogue
      • Movement
      • Profile
      • Beyond Work
      • Rising Star
      • By Invitation
    • News
      • Global HR News
      • Compensation & Benefits
      • Diversity
      • Events
      • Gen Y
      • Hiring & Firing
      • HR & Labour Laws
      • Learning & Development
      • Merger & Acquisition
      • Performance Management & Productivity
      • Talent Management
      • Tools & Technology
      • Work-Life Balance
    • Special
      • Cover Story
      • Editorial
      • HR Forecast 2024
      • HR Forecast 2023
      • HR Forecast 2022
      • HR Forecast 2021
      • HR Forecast 2020
      • HR Forecast 2019
      • New Age Learning
      • Coaching and Training
      • Learn-Engage-Transform
    • Magazine
    • Reports
      • Whitepaper
        • HR Forecast 2024 e-mag
        • Future-proofing Manufacturing Through Digital Transformation
        • Employee Healthcare & Wellness Benefits: A Guide for Indian MSMEs
        • Build a Future Ready Organisation For The Road Ahead
        • Employee Experience Strategy
        • HRKatha 2019 Forecast
        • Decoding and Driving Employee Engagement
        • One Platform, Infinite Possibilities
      • Survey Reports
        • Happiness at Work
        • Upskilling for Jobs of the Future
        • The Labour Code 2020
    • Conferences
      • Rising Star Leadership Awards
      • HRKatha Futurecast
      • Automation.NXT
      • The Great HR Debate
    • HR Jobs
    WhatsApp LinkedIn X (Twitter) Facebook Instagram
    HR KathaHR Katha
    Home»Leadership»The farewell you deserve
    Leadership

    The farewell you deserve

    mmBy Puja Bothra | HRKathaFebruary 13, 2019Updated:February 13, 20194 Mins Read24699 Views
    Share LinkedIn Twitter Facebook
    Share
    LinkedIn Twitter Facebook

    Today, we present two individuals from two different companies, occupying two different hierarchical levels, and belonging to two very different sectors, but with one thing in common. They both exited their respective companies amidst an overwhelming show of love on their farewell day.

    One of them is the CEO of a popular television channel and the other is a team leader with a global technology company.

    It may be a coincidence, but HRKatha managed to procure the videos of the two farewell celebrations, where colleagues and employees bid an emotional goodbye to the two individuals.

    This goes on to prove that leaders, who are compassionate towards their team members, irrespective of level, get reciprocal love and respect. In fact, the videos demonstrate that you get more love than you can give.

    What’s interesting is that these two people belong to completely different worlds, yet the emotions of their colleagues are similar.

    Raj Nayak, the outgoing CEO, Colours & COO of Viacom 18, has always been a people’s person. He is not only loved in the company that he works in, but has always been loved by the entire media fraternity, even his competitors!

    Not every CEO or leader, who quits a company, witnesses such overwhelming display of emotions. However, Nayak is a different person all together.

    When HRKatha quizzed Nayak on what make people shower so much love on him, he modestly says, “I can’t comment on that as it is for others to say.”

    Raj Nayak

    “I was simply touched. These are the memories that I will always cherish. The love that I have received from them is one of the most precious gifts”

    On prodding him further on his role as a CEO and how he has done things differently to earn such unconditional love from so many people, he humbly responds, “I have not planned this, neither did I prepare my journey for this day and time. I never thought I would leave, let alone scheme. I have always been myself, that’s all I can say.”

    He goes on to say that as a leader or even as a professional he has never disrespected anyone, and the media industry would certainly vouch for this.

    On his last day, Nayak’s colleagues gave him another farewell.

    When his car entered the porch, the entire workforce was there to “…welcome him with band-baja, dhol-shol” and everyone including him danced in true Mumbaikar spirit. Inside the office, all TVs played a collaged video (new one) with nostalgic photographs set to the background of his favourite song. After the dhamaal celebration, when it was time for him to exit, they made a human chain with people standing on every step, from his office in the fourth floor to the ground floor, handing him a rose.

    Nayak was truly touched when even the person at the gate gave him a parting gift. Such was his love. Nayak shares, “I was simply touched. These are the memories that I will always cherish. The love that I have received from them is one of the most precious gifts.”

    However, the other video is even more heartwarming. The person here is one who has worked with Capgemini only, ever since he started his career. He began as an associate trainee and moved up the ladder to be a project head.

    A mid-level manager, with a little over 16 years of experience, he received a standing ovation from a human chain formed by employees on the floor! What is most surprising is that the organisation in question is an IT company, where people move in and out in huge numbers every season.

    That Sivaranjith Sathasivam’s journey has been equally phenomenal is evident from the video, and that he is highly respected and loved by the masses in the company is more than clear.

    Sathasivam, who has now joined Philip Morris International as project director said in his parting speech, that for him people are most important. He said that he always believed managers are made by the people. He always watched his people’s back and even fought with the top management for their cause.

    These two incidents are ideal examples of how great leaders are not confined to hierarchies — Those who really wish to make a difference, just do it!

    Capgemini Celebration Colours Employee Experience Farewell Raj Nayak Viacom 18
    Share. LinkedIn Twitter Facebook
    mm
    Puja Bothra | HRKatha

    She has been a business writer for a decade now. Besides, she also influences people through motivational workshops. Likes to travel long distances with a book in hand and accounts her travels in a blog. She is very passionate about Yoga and calls it her purpose in life.

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    8 + 13 =

    Related Posts

    “We’re a sustainability organisation—we’ve been green since when green was just a colour in the crayon box,” Sanjeeb Lahiri, CHRO, GRP

    June 12, 2025

    Redefining recognition: Why the future of HR leadership lies with rising stars

    June 12, 2025

    Why every organisation should hire a chief happiness ‘pawficer’

    May 30, 2025

    Three transformative HR roles of the future

    May 20, 2025

    QUICK HR INSIGHTS

    EDITOR'S PICKS

    The truth about lies: Why résumé fraud has become an epidemic

    June 13, 2025

    Redefining recognition: Why the future of HR leadership lies with rising stars

    June 12, 2025

    Social media is showing Indian workers what they’re missing—and they want change

    June 11, 2025

    When employees leave without notice, who bears the moral burden?

    June 10, 2025
    Latest Post

    L’Oréal expands employee share-ownership plan to boost engagement

    News June 13, 2025

    L’Oréal Groupe has announced the launch of its fifth global employee share ownership plan. This…

    From scrap to sustainability: GRP’s transformation story

    Quick HR Insights June 13, 2025

    In this powerful excerpt, Sanjeeb Lahiri, Chief Human Resources Officer at GRP Ltd, shares how…

    Coal India introduces new uniform dress code for employees starting July

    News June 13, 2025

    Coal India (CIL) is rolling out a new uniform dress code for its employees from…

    NDMC rolls out major employee-welfare measures

    News June 13, 2025

    In a bid to ensure employee welfare, the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has approved…

    Asia's No.1 HR Platform

    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram LinkedIn WhatsApp Bluesky
    • Our Story
    • Partner with us
    • Career
    • Reach Us
    • Exclusive Features
    • Cover Story
    • Editorial
    • Dive into the Future of Work: Download HRForecast 2024 Now!
    © 2025 HRKatha.com
    • Disclaimer
    • Refunds & Cancellation Policy
    • Terms of Service

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.