Are You a “Corporate Fugitive”?
I am. Although it was 25 years ago (!), I can still remember the rules:
1. Matching suits. As a woman in an executive position, your skirt must match your jacket - or your status might be mistaken as “less than.” I learned this the hard way.
2. Heels, not flats. Doesn’t matter if you never wear them, are uncomfortable in them, can’t walk in them. Heels, not flats.
3. Get a M.A.N. as a mentor and make sure he goes to bat for you. You cannot win without this. And yes, it’s about “winning.”
4. If someone drops the ball, do not pick it up for them. If you do pick it up, run it to the end zone yourself. Anything less than this will be considered “loser” behavior.
5. No one will pick up the ball for you.
6. In light of #5 and #4, do not, repeat, do not drop the ball.
7. Learn how to play the game.
8. Never forget that it’s a game.
9. Never let your guard down, because, no one else forgets it’s a game (#7).
10. Never never never never never never never never show your emotions.
Despite the distastefulness of the above list, I had allowed myself to be lulled into a stupor of corporate security,* until the company itself decided to move out of town - and not just out of town, but 900 miles away. A move wasn’t the right thing for my family at the time, so even though I was offered a moving package, I decided the time was right for me to stay put and start my own business. It was the best thing I ever did, and I’m so grateful for that kick in the pants from the Universe.
From what I hear, some of the rules haven’t changed all that much over the years. The matching suits are no longer required, but some nasty games are still being played.
In my own business
In my own business, I can pick up the ball when someone drops it, and give it back to them. There’s no game to learn, we just learn about our clients’ businesses. We can let our guards down - in fact, we never put them up. And yes, we get emotional from time to time. Ahhhh.
Did you leave your corporate job to work for yourself or start your own business? If so, there are 2 things you must do right away:
#1. Leave a reply to this post, telling us why. The world needs to know!
#2. Go to the brand new Corporate Fugitive Network and sign up! You’ll meet others like you for networking, resources, and support.
* there is no such thing as corporate security, as you well know
Tags:corporate fugitive, Corporate Fugitive Network, corporate security
December 15th, 2008 at 11:19 pm
Yes! I love this post! The list of rules gives me the shudders. I am a long-time fugitive. I was an accountant in business (got up to Accounting Dept. Supervisor for a Stock Exchange-traded co.) for 15 years, put myself through school during the last 5, and have been a licensed psychotherapist in private practice since 1979. I love it! It’s my Job on Earth. I also have written 13 books published in 16 languages, and I blog at http://drromance.typepad.com/dr_romance_blog/ I’m happy in my work every day, healing the planet, one person at a time.
December 15th, 2008 at 11:52 pm
Hi Tina,
The shudders, huh? Isn’t it funny how this stuff stays with us? It’s sooooo bad for us!
Thanks for stopping by, Dr. Romance! I’ll check out your blog.
Marcia
December 17th, 2008 at 4:52 pm
Hi Marcia, it’s funny, I had to meet a client at one of my former corporate employers (financial sector where the power suit still is in vogue) and the smell, sounds, and sights brought back the memories… as well as the physical sensations of stress immediately. I felt the liquid dread running cold in my veins! That never goes away, kind of scary isn’t it, the toll it takes. Freedom to choose your own path is the best gift of all. Thanks for referring corporate fugitives or want-to-be’s to my site.
December 19th, 2008 at 10:31 am
You rock. This post is as exciting as it is depressing. Good to see you encouraging people to take the non-sucky non-dehumanizing path.
I’m no refugee. I’d go back to bartending before I’d ever work in an office or wear heels or any of that stuff, but I’m more than happy to gleefully cheer on anyone who wants to join us in smart, thoughtful, intentional entrepreneurship.
It’s really not the scary black hole you think it’s going to be. Though, yes, I totally remember the scary too.
December 19th, 2008 at 11:40 am
Hey Sherri and Havi,
As “important” as most people think that corporate job is, it’s interesting how many people want to get away from it. Sort of a love/hate thing, I think. We want to prove we can do it, but it’s really like torture to our souls. I don’t know anyone who can say their heart really sings because of their corporate job.
Is it the false feeling of security that keeps people there? The fear of the unknown? The power trip? Or something else?
But you’re correct, Havi, that once the plunge is taken, it’s not as scary as you may have thought. That’s why we need to support each other. Thank you both for your insights!
M
January 2nd, 2009 at 12:02 am
Fabulous post! While I don’t have tons experience in the corporate world, I do understand the differences between the corporate lifestyle and entrepreneurship. I’ve always known that I’m supposed to start my own business - I simply THINK different than people I know. It has taken me a while to “wake up” to this fact.
Most are concerned with security (which, like you said, doesn’t really exist in the corporate world. Thanks, Enron.), benefits and nice paychecks. I prefer standing on the bleeding edge, working my butt off to create a long-term dream that I can control. This can make some a little nervous. Needless to say, they don’t quite know what to do with me.
January 10th, 2009 at 2:57 pm
This is a great post! Having just celebrated my 1st year working for myself, it served as a great reminder of why the corporate world was not my style - mainly the inability to think outside of the little power-suit-blue-box. That stifling effect still exists in memory which I think, helps me make better decisions both for my company and for my clients.