Picture this - the human body acting as an organization. Every cell playing its part, contributing to the whole. But what if one cell starts to go rogue, replicating relentlessly, caring for nothing but itself? We call that cancer, right? Now, take a moment and translate this metaphor to the landscape of large corporations.
Sure, we all look out for ourselves to some degree. That's human. But when it's all about me, me, me, especially within a team, that's when we start to see a problem. It's like a cancer, eating away at the health of the team, and it's something that's more likely to happen in big corporations. The bigger they are, the more room for this "cancer" to grow.
Often, it's the smaller teams that outshine the big guys. But why is that? I can't pretend to have all the answers or even the experience to solve such a dilemma in large corporations. And to be honest, I don't think this "cancer" is something we can easily eliminate. It's a complex problem, hence the heavy label. But, I want to chat about it. Not to solve it, but to appreciate the benefits of smaller teams by showing you the challenges that big corporations face.
If you're working in a big corporation, or even a mid-sized one, chances are you've seen this "cancer" in action. Worse still, you might be part of the problem without even realizing it. Don't beat yourself up over it, you're not a bad person. But this brings us to what I see as the biggest challenge in big corporations: the decision diversity problem.
When corporations start to grow, a gap forms between those who make decisions and those who carry them out. It's like a game of telephone - something always gets lost in translation. If people can't see each other face-to-face, trust begins to erode. A company works best when those carrying out the decisions trust the decision-makers. But as the organization grows, it's harder to maintain that trust. If this isn't addressed, the "cancer" grows. Employees start to look out only for themselves, the company becomes an afterthought, and this "cancer" becomes a full-blown, unsolvable problem.
But hey, don't misunderstand me. I'm not saying large organizations are destined to crumble. I'm just trying to point out that managing a big team is not a cakewalk. It's risky to jump straight into entrepreneurship with a big team. Growing your team too quickly can also be a recipe for trouble.
In my book, there's beauty in a small team. A ten-person team can accomplish great things. Even for larger tasks, a tight-knit group of 30 can be your driving force. Try to keep decision-makers and implementers as one, and avoid dividing them into separate entities.
And if you're caught in a large corporation with this "cancer" problem? Don't exhaust yourself trying to fix it - that's like trying to stop a speeding train. It's easier to do what you can, gently nudging things back into balance when needed.
To wrap up, if you're toying with a great idea and thinking about starting something of your own, why not dip your toes into entrepreneurship? There's no need to quit your day job right away. Try it out, see if you enjoy the ride, and gauge your ability to handle it. Get a feel for it, and when you've gained the right experience, go for it.
In the end, remember: small can be beautiful, and in the business world, it could also mean more effective and less "cancerous".
