Navigating the Workplace:

Lessons From Corporate, Startups, and Beyond

I remember my first job out of college. I had just moved to Kansas City, gone through a slew of interviews, and landed a position as a Recruiter at a prominent corporation.

Day one hit me like a wall:

1. I was exhausted.

2. I wondered how people actually work from 8–5 every single day.

3. I asked myself: When am I supposed to work out, buy groceries, spend time with friends, and do all the other “adult” things?

It left me with one big question: how am I supposed to navigate this “big girl job”?

From Corporate to Startup

Three years later, I found myself in a completely different environment: working in Human Resources supporting two technology startups.

Gone were the established processes, the large team, and the corporate resources. Instead, I wore every HR hat possible, built systems from scratch, and sat in an office of seven people as the only HR department employee.

The contrast was stark. In corporate, my job was structured, with a clear focus: hire interns and new grads. In startups, I had to think like an entrepreneur. I was learning as I went, often pitching ideas that were rejected, but also learning to bounce back quickly and try again.

Once again, I was left asking: How do I navigate this world of work?

Lessons From a Range of Work Experiences

Looking back, I’m grateful to have experienced both sides: the corporate world and the world of small business. And now, adding family business and coaching to the mix, I can say I’ve seen nearly every setup.

• Large team vs. small team

• In-office, hybrid, and fully remote work

• Unlimited resources vs. tight budgets

• Established systems vs. “figure it out as you go”

• Formal annual reviews vs. casual performance conversations

• Building friendships at work vs. keeping it strictly professional

Each environment has its own challenges, but the reality is the same: the workplace is rarely simple. It’s layered, dynamic, and sometimes overwhelming.

So how do you navigate it? Let’s break it down.

Navigating Corporate Life

In a large organization, it’s easy to feel like just another employee number. That doesn’t mean you can’t stand out, it just takes intentional effort.

• Build relationships intentionally. Step out of your comfort zone, connect with colleagues outside your immediate team, and say “yes” to opportunities that push you.

• Track your progress. I used to keep a weekly “wins” document for myself. By review season, I had a record of accomplishments instead of trying to recall them 10 months later.

• Raise your hand. Volunteer for projects, support teammates, and show your willingness to contribute. I established a new Employee Resource Group (ERG) in my corporate role, that had me working regularly with the CEO of a multi-billion dollar business. These actions often speak louder than your official job description.

• Challenge the process. In corporate environments, systems are often set in stone. But just because something has “always been done this way” doesn’t mean it’s the best way. Look for efficiencies, experiment with new approaches, and share your perspective.

Navigating Small Business Life

Small business and startup environments feel very different. They move fast. They ask you to wear many hats. They require creativity and resilience.

Leadership will look to you to make a difference quickly, so you’ll need to think like an entrepreneur…even if your role isn’t technically one.

Ask yourself:

• What are the business goals, and how can I align my work with them?

• What data points can I track to show progress or impact?

• What matters most to leadership, and how can I show I care about those priorities too?

• How am I building trust with those around me?

In small business, brainstorming became a lifeline for me. I’d regularly pause to ask: Where are the gaps? What processes need building? How can I make a lasting impact on the people here?

I also learned to pitch ideas with more creativity and resilience. If leadership said no, I didn’t see it as personal failure, but rather a part of the culture of experimenting, failing, and trying again.

The Common Thread: Relationships

No matter where you work—corporate, startup, as a teacher or nurse, or somewhere in between—one thing stays consistent: relationships matter most.

• Who is in your network?

• Who can you call after a hard day, when you’re exploring a career move, or when you’re struggling with a coworker?

• Who is willing to advocate for you when you’re not in the room?

I’ve been lucky to have managers and colleagues who stepped in on my behalf. But that only happened because I invested in trust, showed up to do my job well (even when I felt unsure), and took the time to genuinely connect with people.

The workplace is complex. It’s complex as a new grad, complex as a manager, and complex as a CEO. The challenges shift with each stage of your career, but one truth holds steady: if you invest in people, you’ll always have someone walking beside you as you navigate the workplace.