Corporations are Abstract & Living Organisms

One of the key insights that I gained from working in various corporations and organizations is that they exist in the tension of two contradictory truths: On the one hand, each organization is a cold, abstract entity that relies on a legal framework as an incorporated and legally bound and recognized entity. On the other hand, every organization is a living organism with its own genesis story, growth spurts, phases of slow down, and ever-changing form and health.

To successfully navigate this contradiction, one must first accept and embrace this truth and then behave accordingly—knowing when the corporation is a lifeless legal entity and when it's an ever-changing life form. When you want to build a team, navigate the politics of an organization, or stand out in the sea of colleagues, you need to decipher the organization as an organism. However, when you negotiate your promotion, consider the legal risks of any executive decision you make or behave outside the acceptable norms of the corporation. You need to face the truth and see that the company is nothing but a legal and abstract entity.

I’ve seen too many young talented people get frustrated by this duality, the seemingly contradictory nature of organizations.  When things get heated, they get very stressed, and say things like, "But I thought this was family?". 

My advice? Embrace this binary character of any organization and approach it with a clear-eyed perspective. This understanding can help you navigate these challenges in a more productive and less stressful manner.