In a recent LinkedIn post, Ehsan Ali explores the nuanced reasons why mid-senior IT professionals choose to leave their jobs, challenging the notion of “sudden” resignations. Ali argues that departures are rarely spontaneous events but rather the culmination of prolonged dissatisfaction stemming from a deficit in respect, compensation, or professional growth.
According to Ehsan Ali, the common perception of a “sudden resignation” often masks a much longer period of quiet discontent. He highlights that when an employee leaves, it’s typically because one or more fundamental pillars of their employment have been eroded.
“Nobody quits when they’re respected, paid, and growing. They quit when one of those gets taken away.”
Ali elaborates on the subtle shifts that can lead to an employee’s departure. He points out that workload increases without corresponding role expansion, praise for results without tangible rewards, and being trusted to execute but not to make decisions, are all significant factors. When an individual becomes the ‘fixer’ rather than being seen as part of the company’s future, it signals a diminishing of their value and potential.
The Erosion of Key Employment Pillars
Ehsan Ali emphasizes that for experienced IT professionals, the decision to leave is not taken lightly. They often endure significant personal costs before reaching a breaking point.
As Ehsan Ali notes:
“Most mid-senior IT professionals don’t quit for fun. They quit because staying started costing them: sleep, confidence, self-respect, time with family.”
This indicates that the decision to leave is often a last resort, a move to reclaim personal well-being and professional dignity that has been gradually undermined within the workplace. The cost of staying, Ali suggests, can far outweigh the perceived benefits of a stable job.
The Deceptive Nature of a ‘Decent Salary’
A significant point raised by Ehsan Ali is the potential for a good salary to mask underlying issues within a role, creating a ‘bad deal’ that employees may tolerate for too long. He describes the internal rationalization process many individuals go through.
Ali writes:
“A decent salary can hide a bad deal. You tell yourself: ‘It’s fine.’ ‘I’m lucky.’ ‘Once this project ends…’ But ‘fine’ becomes 3 years. Then 5.”
This phenomenon, according to Ehsan Ali, highlights how financial stability can inadvertently enable individuals to accept a job that is otherwise detrimental to their career trajectory and overall satisfaction. What begins as a temporary compromise can easily become a long-term state of professional stagnation.
Defining Career vs. Tolerating a Job
To help professionals assess their situation, Ehsan Ali proposes a simple yet powerful framework: the presence of at least two out of three core elements—respect, pay, and growth. He argues that lacking at least two of these fundamental components means an individual is not building a career but merely enduring a job.
In Ali’s view, the ultimate measure of a fulfilling professional experience is not just about being busy, but about feeling a sense of personal expansion and significance.
He poses a crucial self-reflection question to his audience: “When was the last time this job made you feel bigger? Not busier. Bigger.” This prompts readers to consider whether their current roles contribute to their personal and professional development in a meaningful way, moving beyond mere task completion to a sense of genuine advancement and self-worth.
📝 About This Content
This article is based on insights shared by Ehsan Ali on LinkedIn.
📅 Originally posted on February 24, 2026 | View original post on LinkedIn →