The Dark Side of the Corporate Climb
Is it worth it?
This is one of those things that you have to go through to see how it actually is.
Climbing in the corporate world has a certain ✨American dream✨ essence to it. Starting from nothing, as nothing, and growing yourself into “the boss”.
Now, before anyone gets defensive, let me just say this: chasing corporate success isn’t inherently a bad thing, nor is it a good one. I would argue there is no value statement for us to apply to it objectively.
After all, it’s indisputable that this pursuit was the bedrock from which an entire generation sprouted immense success and wealth.
However, the impact it has on your humanity? Up for debate.
Today, I’m playing prosecutor. And I’m here to argue that “the climb” is guilty of robbing its climbers of their humanity.
Before we start, my girlfriend Dani snuck this in while I was away from the keyboard. I’m leaving it in.
I love you <3
It’s all a game
My time in the business world has taught me many hard truths. I’ve had the privilege of working with some truly amazing people. Leaders in their field, intellectually fascinating, and a good heart to boot.
I’ve also been lucky enough to meet a lot of people who have shown me exactly how not to be. Practicing business in ways that contribute to the bad rap corporate America gets among younger generations.
I learned a lot from both of these personas.
I also learned that practicing business is a lot like playing a game. Sometimes it’s like chess, other times it’s like UFC. Either way, you get to decide the kind of game you want to play. And like everything in business, your choice will have a cost.
You choose your approach
You can play dirty—sometimes life calls for that. Your cost? Not living in accordance to you who are for some company goal. For a paycheck.
To put this into a word: regret.
You can play squeaky clean—staying true to yourself and doing what’s right. Your cost? Well, those who play dirty love when their competition plays fair—it makes their job easier.
In a word: sacrifice
This cost analysis is important. You aren’t able to best decide how you want to play without it.
It took some hard lessons for me to realize the game I wanted to play. I made choices I wasn’t proud of, all to fuel someone else’s agenda. My choice in the end?
My morals are orders of magnitude more important than any company goal ever could be.
Sacrifice.
It seems obvious looking back. But in the moment this can be a hard thing to realize. You want to impress your bosses, make an impact, or get that promotion. You can ignore it for a while, but your conscience always catches up
Don’t Lose Yourself
News flash for everyone, the only person that knows all of the bad about you, is you. The only person that has to live with the choices you make forever, is you.
Make choices that a future, better version of yourself would be proud of.
We all make mistakes and deserve the opportunity to right those wrongs. That’s called growth. Mistakes aren’t what we should fear.
We should fear losing ourselves in the pursuit of material gain. In pursuit of “winning”.
Stay true to who you are. Always.
The reward?
Peace.
Happy Friday to You,
Brady
Staying true to yourself is what I took away from this, great work as always brother!