The Corporate Conundrum: Why Do So Many People Seek Positions in Large Organizations?
It’s a question that many professionals are grappling with: What motivates individuals to pursue careers in large corporations? As someone who recently transitioned from a small, close-knit company to a Fortune 500 firm, I can’t help but reflect on my own disheartening experience.
For the first eight years of my career, I was fortunate to work in a small organization with a maximum of 200 employees. The structure was refreshingly straightforward, flowcharts could fit on a single page: CEO, boss, and junior staff—just three layers of hierarchy. While senior team members offered guidance, the direct connection I had with my supervisor fostered an environment of mutual support and collaboration.
My recent shift to a corporate giant, however, felt like a jarring leap into the unknown. It wasn’t just a new role; it was an entirely different culture—one characterized by unhealthy competitiveness, office politics, and, frankly, toxicity. I frequently encountered scenarios where managers engaged in a game of telephone, and the professional atmosphere felt riddled with sabotage and gossip. This stark contrast to what I had previously perceived as workplace values left me feeling disillusioned.
I had always believed in the virtues of hard work, teamwork, and integrity. To me, a job was about showing up, performing well, supporting team members, and contributing positively to the company’s success. However, my corporate experience seemed to prioritize other agendas—like plotting how to undermine a colleague or withholding crucial information from teammates. It became evident that much of the time was spent on negativity rather than productivity and leadership.
This has led me to ponder: what entices people to embrace a corporate environment that thrives on such counterproductive behavior? Is it merely my naivety in navigating the corporate landscape? Do countless professionals wake up each day, excited to engage in this type of work culture for decades?
Despite my grappling with these questions, it appears that my dissatisfaction is not an isolated case. Many discussions across platforms like Reddit echo similar sentiments about the dreariness found within corporate workplaces. Yet, the strange reality is that people continue to flock to these positions.
What am I missing? Is there an underlying system that justifies this often backward way of thinking? Is there actual efficacy in the behaviors that seem toxic, yet are perpetuated within corporate frameworks?
As someone who is contemplating starting a new venture, I can’t help but seek
