Brain matters too, bro

 

I have changed dozen companies in my carrier so far. Even though changing companies often was unprecedented just 20 years ago, these days is rather a common thing. 

Every time I have left a company, there was a good reason, some times multiple reasons, sometimes external circumstances. Regardless, never have I ever moved to another company for more money, or other material benefits. I claim this responsibly and I stand by this rule to this day. 

Every time there has been a tipping point when I have decided: I give up, not worth it, I'm leaving. And I always ask my self, what is the root cause that is pushing me over the line. There must be an underlying common problem that prevails through the years. I have often pondered: What is that thing I can't tolerate in the companies I leave? 

During my last interview (or what looked like one) I had a revelation. The outside image of the company matters to me, but I appreciate the brains much more. When I say brain, I mean the collective brain, the Company Culture. For a company, this is difficult to achieve though, on a company level I mean. Its equivalent to changing a country's mentality.  It takes a lot of time and character by the leaders, accompanied by productive rules. Rules which are proven to work and benefit everybody, non discriminating rules, rules that will be obeyed willingly for the greater good. Additionally fast growing companies, even if they had a good culture while small, they often fail to maintain it when they grow.

As we only see someone's outside appearance and not the character on the first date, its difficult to notice the company culture as an outsider, or even less on the first interview. It takes at least one year to see whether the company culture fits ones liking. That is the reason people get divorced from companies a lot these days, not because of looks (banners, free food, bean bags and play stations), but because of lack company brains. 

So my epiphany was  that: The inception of feeling as a cannon fodder in the business front is the tipping point for me. I like free food, but company culture is the most important thing for me