for many, corporate life is a velvet prison. it gives you comfort—insurance, stability—but at the cost of your soul. it grinds down ambition, boldness, & originality until all that’s left is someone who knows how to play the game, follow the rules, & never rock the boat.
every lesson i’ve learned in a big company has been a lesson in how to maintain the status quo, which is the exact opposite of what’s needed to make progress. these companies don’t reward excellence or courage—they reward people who are average across the board: non-threatening, obedient, & forgettable. worse, they actively punish boldness. boldness is risk, & risk is an allergy to the corporate ecosystem.