The Corporate Conundrum: Why Do We Gravitate Toward Large Organizations?

Many professionals question why so many individuals are attracted to corporate roles and large organizations—especially when some of us have had less-than-stellar experiences in these environments. I’m speaking from personal experience, having spent the first eight years of my career at a small, well-knit company with no more than 200 employees. The structure was refreshingly simple, consisting of three layers: CEO, manager, and junior staff. Even with senior team members present, our manager took the lead on all fronts.

Recently, I took a leap into the corporate world by joining a Fortune 500 company, and the experience left me disillusioned. It seemed to echo a sentiment I later found reflected in various discussions online—many others have encountered similar hurdles. The workplace dynamics were unexpectedly toxic: management playing the “telephone game,” individuals undermining their colleagues, and a heavy dose of negativity permeating the atmosphere. It starkly contrasted with my personal values, prompting me to leave and consider starting my own venture instead.

Over the years, I operated under the belief that work should be straightforward: show up, perform to the best of your ability, seek ways to uplift your team, contribute to the company’s success, and head home satisfied. Yet, in this corporate role, it felt like the focus shifted away from productivity to the game of office politics—gossiping, undermining peers, and withholding vital information seemed to take precedence over working towards shared success. My time felt wasted on negativity rather than on initiatives that could genuinely benefit the company and elevate those around me.

This leads me to wonder: what draws so many individuals to this toxic culture? Is it just me, feeling out of place in an environment where it seems acceptable to engage in underhanded tactics? How can anyone look forward to spending two to three decades in a setting that feels so fundamentally flawed?

I truly felt as though I had stepped into an alternate reality. While I understand that my inexperience in corporate settings may contribute to my bewilderment, I can’t help but question the rationale behind such behavior. How can companies succeed when they foster environments like this?

I find myself seeking closure on the matter. I sat in meetings, thinking, “This can’t possibly be the norm,” yet everyone else seemed to glide through their days as if this was what the corporate experience was meant to entail.

What am I missing? Surely, there must