The Corporate Conundrum: Why Are So Many Drawn to Large Organizations?

As someone who has recently transitioned from a small, tight-knit company to the sprawling realm of a Fortune 500 organization, I’ve found myself grappling with a slew of unexpected challenges. With nearly a decade of experience in a workplace culture that emphasized connection and collaboration, my foray into corporate life felt like stepping into an entirely different universe.

The Shift from Small to Big

For the first eight years of my career, I thrived in a small organization with fewer than 200 employees. The structure was refreshingly simple: a flat hierarchy with limited layers—essentially just three levels: the CEO, their direct reports, and junior staff. In this environment, teamwork thrived; senior members were mentors, and the overall goal was mutual support and shared success.

However, my recent experience in a Fortune 500 company starkly contrasted with this ethos. What I encountered was not the collaborative spirit I had expected. Instead, I witnessed a disheartening culture rife with sabotage, manipulation, and a pervasive sense of negativity. It felt alien to my values—where I had always believed in coming to work to contribute positively, I found myself surrounded by colleagues engaged in a constant game of power plays and gossip.

A Culture of Competition, Not Collaboration

In my previous role, we measured success by our collective efforts to innovate and enhance our business. Entering the corporate world, that notion felt utterly reversed. Many seemed preoccupied with undermining colleagues, hoarding information, and participating in a cycle of toxicity that left me bewildered. I struggled to understand how this behavior could contribute to a company’s success.

After months of enduring this unpleasant reality, I made the difficult decision to leave and pursue entrepreneurship—an avenue that, for me, promised a return to values I hold dear: teamwork, support, and growth.

The Mystery Behind Corporate Appeal

Reading discussions online, I realized that my frustrations are not unique; many have echoed similar sentiments. It raises the question: Why do so many individuals still choose to work in such toxic environments? What drives them to endure practices that, to me, seem fundamentally counterproductive?

Are we living in a world where people wake up, excited to confront power struggles, office politics, and a lack of accountability? It left me questioning the very nature of corporate culture and its appeal. How can this be considered an effective way to operate? Surely, there must be some underlying