Taking the leap from a secure, high-paying job to pursue a personal dream is a decision few dare to make. It requires not just courage, but also careful thought and a willingness to embrace uncertainty.
Recently, Junead Khan, a former Microsoft software engineer, decided to leave a role paying approximately $220,000 per year (around Rs 2 crore) to focus entirely on his own startup. What made his story even more remarkable was the reaction of his manager that has since gone viral.
Reflecting on the decision publicly, Khan shared that leaving Microsoft was a choice that went against most advice he had received. He explained how frightening it felt at the time,“6 months ago, I did something everyone told me not to do.”
He described the leap as a personal gamble, made with the hope of giving his startup the best chance to succeed. He shared, “I decided to quit my $220K big tech job at Microsoft to bet everything on myself and my startup, @treasury.sh. In the moment, it was absolutely terrifying to step away from my stable and comfortable job, but I knew if I didn’t do it then, I’d regret it forever.”
In the video of the resignation, Khan begins the call casually before preparing his manager for the conversation that follows. He tells his boss, “I wanted to have a quick chat with you. I hope I don’t catch you too off guard.”
He then explains his decision and expresses gratitude for the opportunities he had during his tenure, “I wanted to let you know that I am planning on handing in a resignation letter. I have really enjoyed my last two years here at Microsoft. I am going to be pursuing my own opportunity. I feel like I am ready to give myself a full shot. And, I just wanted to let you know first.”
The manager’s reply came without hesitation, acknowledging the risk while offering encouragement, “It’s a big step. But congratulations. We are gonna miss you.”
Khan also praised his manager and team publicly, emphasising the support he received and encouraging others to take their own leaps, “I’m grateful to have had a supportive manager and team. And to anyone thinking about betting on yourself: take the chance. The thought of quitting your job is a lot scarier than actually doing it.”
Netizens praised Khan’s courage to leave a secure role and the positive reaction from his manager. “Big risk bro but you are very brave keep going,” wrote one, while another added, “That went well.”