Life Behind the Corporate Curtain
Why the corporate world does not work for everyone.
Corporate companies dominate the world as thousands of people are fighting over each other to have the experience of working at one.
I had a chance to work at corporates, and it was eye-opening. Well-known companies allowed me to see what’s their secret to success. Recipes that no one knows, and everyone only wonders about. I felt important to be one of them.
Yet, large corporates also have their obstacles. A complicated organizational structure makes it impossible for you to interact with customers and feel any kind of pleasure from their satisfaction. In the office, you see high employee turnover, a lot of rumors going around, and people who know every little detail about each other.
Circumstances made me take these collective, stereotypical jobs from which I very soon started seeing impacts on myself.
Working for a corporation is like a hike into the mountains. You can either thrive and enjoy the beautiful view or gulp for air and go crazy. Here are a few facts that may happen alongside this trip, for better or worse. It’s good to try new things.
Saying NO is the key to success
Big companies are great for various reasons. They teach you how to work in a team. How to be punctual, share work, or meet a deadline. You will become more responsible as no one stands behind your back.
But you need to know how to stand up for yourself. The competition in a corporate field is gigantic, and you need to be prepared for it.
Corporates are established based on a hierarchical structure, and often, it’s not evident who is actually your boss. That’s one of many reasons why anything you say is usually neglected. You are just one small fish in a big ocean, swimming with a current. Your words have no value.
Yet, one word has more value overall. Knowing how to say NO and don’t be ashamed of it is essential for your survival. It gives you a lot of respect and a better chance to climb higher on the corporate ladder.
While working for the companies, I noticed there was always someone with more power telling me what to do and how fast. These cocky managers didn’t know me by my name and only gave orders without any signs of empathy.
I have never blamed anyone for giving me insane tasks. I knew very well they just do what they are told to do. But, a system like this turns people into stressed bigheads, and that’s not ok.
I quickly realize that if I don’t learn how to say no, they will take advantage of me. So my first NO came quickly. And surprisingly, it wasn’t scary at all. On the contrary, it was very enjoyable. Because of this NO, I was able to quit these jobs later on. And it was one of the best decisions of my life.
Knowing how to say NO and express your concerns belongs to the most valuable skills you can have. Being authentic, honest, and not submissive can either grant you a promotion. Or it can give you the strength to quit your job and start a more suitable one.
Falling into a routine
I slipped into an everyday routine like an ice cube when I started working for a corporation. Each morning the alarm rang, and I had exactly 25 minutes to make a coffee, put on clothes, brush my teeth, do my hair, put on lotion, and pack my backpack.
The same happened in the evening. I had just enough time to take a shower, prepare food for the next day, eat dinner, have 30 minutes of reading time, watch a TV show, and go to sleep exactly at 10 PM.
Routines are great. They keep your life organized, and you don’t ever have to be afraid of forgetting something. But be aware they might turn your life into a stereotypical rollercoaster, from which it’s impossible to escape.
When I got used to my life in a big company, it was tough for me to go out at night or sleep at someone else’s house. I had to challenge myself to be more unrestricted. I switched activities and the alarm every other day. Instead of relaxing, I went for a run. Instead of going home, I visited a friend.
I had to learn not to care about going to work and rather relax my brain. It took a while, but the rollercoaster slowed down, and I was able to get off.
Feeling like you do not belong
Smaller companies have distinct tastes in people and will likely hire people with similar characteristics. However, big companies probably hire anyone who has the basic skill set. That’s why you should be prepared for the variety of voices and conspiracy theories once you join a corporate.
If you are strong and open-minded, you get to know personalities you had no idea even existed. It can be groundbreaking and inspiring to see all kinds of opinions and characters in the same room.
On the other hand, it’ll be a little more difficult if you are closed and unwilling to socialize. You will probably not find anybody with similar interests.
A corporation is a place where different cultures, opinions, or visions face each other. It’s not always pretty. A voice with a preconceived opinion is a powerful voice; therefore, optimism can prevail, but not necessarily.
I learned how to listen to other people’s insane thoughts and how to compromise. My head was always full of the opposite opinions. But I figured that getting into conflicts and opinion battles is just a waste of my energy. I now know that if I shut my mouth and keep my thoughts only for the people who appreciate them, my life will be more fulfilling.
Think twice before you speak
Once I managed to get along with the company’s workflow, it dawned on me how susceptible I was to gossiping. It was happening all around me. He did this, and she said that. At a certain point, it was so ridiculous; it almost made me ask the people why they are wasting time on such irrelevant topics.
Gossiping is, unfortunately, today’s standard, and it makes people feel powerful and influential. Yet, it’s nothing but showing others your weak personality and fear of speaking up.
Listening to these extremely toxic and unreasonable conversations made me realize I am lucky that I care more about myself than about other people’s lives. It didn’t matter to me what everybody thought or said. So why bother paying attention to something so insignificant.
However, If you ever decide to go into a corporate company. Don’t let anybody drag you down. People might seem educated and old enough to mind their business, but they don’t.
I suggest going the other way around — be potent and influential by ignoring rumors and enjoying the day with your friends over light topics.
Takeaway
Working for a corporation is a great opportunity if you are looking for a stable job, where it’s possible to climb higher. And not just that, it also makes you eager to learn new skills and be responsible.
It’s fun to be a part of a big company. Parties, birthday celebrations, or team buildings aren’t an exception and are on every week’s schedule. You meet many inspiring people, and if you don’t mind different faces of humor, you will enjoy it.
Yet think twice. Large companies, particularly open offices, are filled with rumors and secret stories which are very hard to disregard. People are also of different characters, temperaments, and intelligence, which could be challenging to handle.
It’s less freedom, more tasks, and even more rules. Not impossible to overcome but hard to cope with if you know you are more of a free bird than a captive king.
