A Journey from small business to Corporate: Finding Fulfillment in the Workplace
When stepping into the professional world, many of us are driven by ideals of teamwork, performance, and mutual support. However, my recent experience in a corporate environment left me questioning the very nature of workplace culture, especially in large organizations.
For the first eight years of my career, I thrived in a small company of around 200 employees. The structure was simple and flat, which made collaboration straightforward. The hierarchy consisted mainly of a CEO, a direct boss, and junior staff, creating an environment where everyone was connected and communication flowed easily. In this setup, I found myself in a position where elevating my team and focusing on collective success were not just encouraged but ingrained in daily operations.
Recently, I made the leap to a Fortune 500 company, expecting new challenges and growth. Instead, I encountered one of the most disheartening experiences of my professional life. It quickly became apparent that the ethos I cherished in my former job was replaced with a cutthroat mentality that prioritized personal gain over team success. Reading through various posts on platforms like Reddit, I discovered that many have shared similar disillusionments in corporate settings.
The cultural shift was jarring. I entered an environment where managers seemed more interested in playing a “telephone game” of miscommunication, while others engaged in office politics that undermined team cohesion. I witnessed toxic behaviors—gossiping, sabotaging colleagues, and withholding crucial information—distracting from the core mission of the company. Instead of focusing on productivity and innovation, the prevalent mindset seemed to revolve around scheming and backstabbing.
Throughout my decade-long career, my guiding principle was that genuine effort leads to success—not just for individuals, but for the entire organization. I took pride in contributing to my company’s growth and fostering a supportive atmosphere. However, in corporate life, these values melted away, leading me to contemplate a significant shift: launching my own business.
As I reflect on this predicament, I can’t help but wonder why so many people are drawn to large organizations despite the prevalent negativity. Do individuals genuinely aspire to spend decades entrenched in this culture? Is there an underlying logic behind the behaviors that dominate corporate structures?
The whole experience felt surreal to me. Coming from a more intimate workplace, I was unprepared for what felt like a completely different realm. As I witnessed my colleagues accept this toxic dynamic as normal, I grappled with the notion
