The Corporate Conundrum: Why Are People Drawn to Large Organizations?

Transitioning from a small business environment to a corporate giant can be an eye-opening experience—sometimes for all the wrong reasons. After spending nearly a decade working for a tight-knit team of about 200 people, I decided to make the leap to a Fortune 500 company, only to find myself thrown into a world that felt fundamentally at odds with my values.

At my previous job, the organizational structure was refreshingly straightforward: a few layers between the CEO and junior staff meant that communication was direct, and collaboration was encouraged. People were focused on performance, growth, and supporting one another—qualities that fostered a positive and productive atmosphere. Unfortunately, this was not my experience in the corporate realm.

Upon stepping into the corporate landscape, I was met with an unsettling reality. It quickly became apparent that rather than fostering teamwork, many employees seemed preoccupied with office politics. I encountered a culture where the ‘telephone game’ ruled, sabotage was common, and toxic behavior flourished. My energy, instead of being directed towards contributing positively to the company’s goals, was often diverted to navigating this minefield of negativity.

I spent years under the impression that a professional environment should focus on productivity and support. Yet, my corporate experience felt dominated by gossip, withholding critical information, and detrimental competition among teams. It was disheartening to witness colleagues spending more time attempting to undermine one another than striving for collective success.

Reading through various Reddit threads, I discovered that my experience was shared by many. Yet this led me to a troubling question: why are so many individuals drawn to corporate roles that seem to embrace such dysfunction? Do they genuinely wake up each day excited to engage in this kind of environment, potentially dedicating decades to it?

It’s frustrating to feel like an outsider in a world where self-preservation and hidden agendas appear to take precedence over collaboration and mutual support. I realized that my idealistic views of professionalism and ethics had not prepared me for the stark contrast of corporate life.

This leads me to wonder: is there actual efficacy behind these toxic behaviors? Surely, if such practices are so commonplace, there must be some underlying rationale that enables companies to thrive. Or are these simply the byproducts of a system in need of significant reform?

If you’ve navigated similar experiences or have insights into this corporate culture, I would greatly appreciate your input. Throughout my time in this new environment, I kept asking myself if I