The Corporate Conundrum: Why Do People Embrace Large Organizations?

As someone who recently transitioned from a small, tight-knit business to a Fortune 500 company, I find myself grappling with a puzzling question: Why are so many individuals drawn to corporate life, especially considering the toxicity I’ve experienced?

My initial eight years in a small organization, with a maximum of 200 employees, cultivated a work culture that was both collaborative and straightforward. The hierarchy consisted of just three layers—CEO, manager, and junior staff—facilitating direct communication and a sense of unity. Senior team members played a supportive role underneath their managers, fostering an environment of mentorship and teamwork.

However, my move to a corporate giant exposed me to a drastically different landscape. My experience quickly soured, and many of the challenges I faced appear to resonate with others based on conversations I’ve read online. The atmosphere was rife with toxic competition, gossip, and manipulative behavior that seemed to undermine collaboration. Responsibilities were often sidetracked by power struggles rather than contributions to team success or company growth. The dynamics felt completely misaligned with my values, prompting me to resign and explore the possibility of starting my own venture.

For nearly a decade, I believed work was about performance, teamwork, and driving results—a straightforward approach where dedication leads to growth for both employees and the organization. But my corporate experience revealed a disheartening reality: it was less about collective achievement and more about navigating layers of politics and rivalry.

This leads to my burning question—why would anyone willingly engage in such a culture? Is it merely a case of ignorant acceptance? I often wonder if people genuinely wake up each day excited to partake in this system for 20 to 30 years, embodying such counterproductive behaviors without question.

My time in the corporate realm felt like stepping into an alternate universe. While I acknowledge my relative inexperience with corporate culture, I struggle to comprehend how this approach can be deemed effective. Is there a hidden benefit to these behaviors that somehow translates into success for these organizations?

I left feeling perplexed, questioning my assumptions about workplace dynamics. Why do so many individuals seem to operate under such norms? There must be a rationale behind this behavior—if not, why would it persist?

If anyone can offer insights or clarity around this paradox, I would greatly appreciate it. My experience seems to convey that this isn’t the norm, yet many continue to function within it as if it is. What am I missing