Less Creative Thinking
For a time, “thinking outside the box” was a big trend in business. It encouraged original and free thinking to help employees and leaders come up with new solutions to problems, instead of doing things “as we’ve always done them.”
The truth, though, is that many large companies don’t like to think outside the box. Large companies are usually less open to change because they are risk-averse. While this caution helps maintain company stability (a pro), it does mean that large companies are slow to change. It can take forever to get things done thanks to the corporate structure, defined policies, and outlined procedures.
– Hard to Get Ahead
While one of the pros of working for a large company is the opportunity for advancement, that doesn’t mean it will come easily. Hard work may not be enough to help you get ahead. Success in a large company has a specific definition, and when you bring up your accomplishments in a performance review, if they’re not on “the list,” they may not count.
Working for a large company also means you work with a lot of people. This means that there is competition everywhere. When a manager is deciding which salesperson to promote, they will start with all of the people who hit the “goal” for earning that promotion. However, within that group, the manager will only promote those who did the most toward that goal and, if that’s not you, you probably won’t get the promotion.
– You’re Just a Number
Of course, a large company is big. You knew that going in. But, what you may not have realized is that when you work for a large company, it can be hard to feel seen as a person. Or, hard to feel like you and your efforts make a difference at the company. When you’re one employee of hundreds or even thousands (or hundreds of thousands), you may feel like a cog in a meaningless wheel.
