Unpacking the Corporate Culture: A Journey from Small Teams to Fortune 500

Recently, I found myself questioning a prevalent aspect of our professional landscape: Why are so many individuals drawn to large organizations and corporate roles? My experiences have led me in an entirely different direction—one marked by disillusionment and a desire to forge my own path.

For the first eight years of my career, I thrived in a small company environment with around 200 employees. The structure was refreshingly straightforward, consisting of just three layers: the CEO, a few direct bosses, and junior staff members. This setup fostered a strong sense of collaboration and focus, where leaders directly managed and supported their teams.

However, I made the leap to a Fortune 500 company, and it was, quite frankly, one of the most jarring experiences of my career. After discussing my experience in various forums, I’ve come to understand that my sentiments resonate with many others. Within this corporate behemoth, I encountered a culture rife with negativity—managers often seemed to play a game of telephone, while sabotage among teams was alarmingly common. The environment was saturated with toxicity, a stark contrast to my foundational values of teamwork and mutual support. Ultimately, this experience compelled me to resign and pursue my entrepreneurial aspirations.

For nearly a decade, I operated under the belief that work should be about performance, collaboration, and contribution to the success of the organization. However, my corporate experience was dominated by political maneuvering, gossip, and the deliberate withholding of information, often leaving little room for genuine progress or collective growth.

As I reflect on this disconnect, I find myself intrigued and perplexed. What motivates individuals to pursue careers in such environments? Do people genuinely wake up every day ready to engage in this type of atmosphere for 20 to 30 years? Is it simply my naivety as I venture into the corporate world that colors my perspective?

Entering this realm felt like stepping into an alternate universe. I recognize that my background is not steeped in corporate culture, but the prevailing practices often seemed counterproductive. Is there an underlying rationale that makes this kind of behavior advantageous for a company?

I seek clarity on this matter. Throughout my corporate tenure, I constantly questioned whether this truly was the norm. Meanwhile, others around me continued their routines as though this environment was completely acceptable.

What am I missing? There has to be a reason why such behaviors are commonplace in corporate settings; otherwise, why would anyone