Your Company Culture and You

I’m no expert on company culture or leadership. But after hosting countless conversations with remarkable individuals—from CEOs to everyday employees—on my podcast, I’ve had a front-row seat to the evolving realities of work, identity, and the systems that shape us. These aren’t polished stories for corporate brochures; they’re real, raw, and deeply personal, revealing truths that often go unspoken.

There was a time when company culture felt like a jacket: you put it on when you entered the office, wore it with pride, and hung it up as you stepped back into your personal world. But today, that jacket feels more like a second skin. Company culture doesn’t just stay within office walls anymore; it seeps into who we are, shaping how we act, think, and present ourselves online and offline. It’s almost like it becomes us, and we, it.

Why am I talking about this now? Because I’ve heard too many stories—honest, sometimes painful accounts—from people caught between who they are and who they’re expected to be. And here’s what I keep coming back to: If corporate life is as shiny and perfect as it’s often portrayed, why are so many people quietly stepping away? From the Great Resignation to quiet quitting to the rising conversations about toxic leadership, something doesn’t add up. Behind those corporate smiles and cheerful videos, how many of those people have felt compelled to play a part they didn’t want to? Why, if it’s so great, are so many stepping away?

Here’s the paradox: even top management, those who shape company culture, are not immune to the pressure of conformity. The very systems they help build often constrain them just as much as they constrain others. But this isn't a defense of leadership. It's a reminder that the culture we build, whether at the top or the bottom, has a profound effect on everyone in the organization.

These stories make me ask some tough questions: Are we mistaking compliance for happiness? Are we losing sight of our individuality in the name of belonging? And if so, what are the costs when we try to disentangle ourselves from cultures that have become so deeply embedded in our lives?

This isn’t just about company culture—it’s about something much bigger: our identities, our choices, and our need to stay true to who we are, even as we navigate systems that often ask us to conform.

I don’t have all the answers, but I think it’s time we started asking the questions that matter. What’s your experience with company culture—how has it shaped or constrained you? Let’s start a conversation that goes beyond the smiles and into the heart of what truly matters. I’d love to hear your thoughts, insights, and experiences.