Does Your Company Culture Match Your Personality?

Company culture is an interesting thing. It's intangible and yet it has a huge impact your job. Generally speaking, it's defined as "the shared values and practices of the company's employees."

Have you ever noticed that companies can seem to have a personality all their own? That's a reflection of the culture. Certain companies tend to attract a certain type of person. And people excel in companies that match their personality.

So what is the culture of the company you work for? Look around. What's the atmosphere like? Is it stuffy and stiff or is it energetic and playful? Look at the employees. Are there certain character traits that are common amongst them? Think about the leaders. What image do they project? What is the long-term vision of the company?

Compare your company's personality to your own. Do they work well together or do they clash?

An Example of a Great Match

Mr. Toolbox is an athletic and energetic guy. He loves the outdoors and being playful. The company he works for truly matches his personality perfectly. It's a company that makes outdoor sports equipment. The people there are all athletic and high energy. They laugh a lot, have an after-work volleyball team, and often get caught flying model helicopters around the hallways. He bought his first suit a few weeks ago (and mind you, he's worked there for 7 years). All in all, the company is a reflection of him and his co-workers.

An Example of a Personality Clash

I used to work for a very high pressure sales company (in the financial field). The people there were all consumed with money and numbers. They were ultra competitive and if you didn't play the game their way, you were completely left out. Being named the "top" sales team was the only concern - and people would do just about anything to get there. Integrity was a joke. Work/life balance was a distant dream. I was out of my element. But I tried to force myself to make it work. And every day, I grew more and more unhappy. I was dragging others down with me. I wondered if it was just me. But then it dawned on me: my personality was all wrong for this company. It was like a bad marriage - I kept taking the abuse because I thought someday it would change. Of course, it didn't and I eventually left. (You can read more about this adventure in my life in Sometimes, 1 Step Back = 2 Steps Forward)

I think company culture plays a huge role in job satisfaction. It's an important thing to keep in mind when searching for a job. And if you're not happy where you are, look at your own personality and how it matches with that of the company. Sure, company cultures change and shift with time, but don't try to force yourself to fit into an environment that doesn't work for you. It can be an exhausting and unproductive endeavor.