Working for a Company with a 'Cult Mentality'

[BristolCavendish]

Curious if anyone has experienced this kind of thing. When I was in college (late 1970s), I worked during the summers at HP prior to its branching off into Agilent (test equipment) and information systems (computers). At the time, there was a longstanding employee mentality (i.e. the HP Way) which many old-timers bought into. It was essentially a mind set that the company provided an idyllic work environment and employees would always be taken care of in the process. Of course that all changed when Carly Fiorina took over the helm years later.

During the 1980s when 'Japan Inc.' was in full stride, this concept also seemed to prevail with company guarantees of 'lifetime employment' and prosperity for all of its employees. Studies of this successful business model also pointed out that worker conformity was paramount and 'the nail that stuck out would be pounded in.' Eventually these long-term assurances changed as production gradually moved to 3rd World/developing countries.

I had a conversation this weekend with two individuals who work for Google and Apple respectively. They mentioned that these two companies also have a cult mentality (sans the guarantee of lifetime employment). To them, it was almost 'Borg-like' from the standpoint of prescribed assimilation and blind devotion to corporate vision. Being somewhat independent thinkers and well-educated, they are now planning to leave these particular companies.

On a smaller scale, some of the 'multi-tiered' marketing operations also seem to operate on these premises (i.e. Amway, Mary Kay Cosmetics, Shaklee etc.). While it works for some, a clone-like mentality seems to offer the best assurances of success in these ventures.

Curious if anyone has been successfully absorbed into this kind of framework. After a couple of summers on the HP assembly line, I eventually opted for summer work as a fire observer/lookout tower as this seasonal endeavor was more closely related to my primary focus/major in college.

While I'll probably never be as wealthy (or own as many Rolexes) as some of the folks here, I just couldn't buy into the mindset of being a long-term corporate sycophant. Then again, the concept has proven successful for countless individuals and the more power to them.

[Chewbacca]

I'm very familiar with one of the firms you mention and also have close friends who work for/with them. I can say that it's not cult-like but rather very secretive.

The secrecy aspect is often misconstrued as cult-like -- and it's well deserved since many people have never worked in tech or cosmetic pyramid schemes.

[swils8610]

Wouldn’t consider our business cult like...but we have all ways no appointments at necessary service.


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[Syed117]

Seems to be fairly common in tech.

I have friends in California that work for Apple,Google and Microsoft (Redmond). They all either fit into that cult mold, or they make it clear that the cult mentality exists. I met a guy that was a contractor for google and I guess contractors get green badges instead of blue ones. He said you are basically an outcast if you have a green badge. The blue badge people treat you very differently.

The only place I've seen it filter into retail presence is Apple though. Microsoft stores usually ghost towns with random people who don't seem to care. The "geniuses" at Apple however are pretty much going in already indoctrinated.

On one hand it's good because it's better to deal with someone who cares about the product. On the other, it's off putting because a lot of times they really come across as creepy. With all that said, I've almost had universally good customer experiences at the Apple store when I used an iphone and any time I've had to go in for my dad. Maybe it's better to deal with cultists.

[77T]

IMHO, one person’s “cult” is another’s culture...
The higher one rises in a corporation, the better a culture is appreciated.

I think what is described as lifetime employment was a vestige of the founder’s culture of “family business”. Globalization has impacted that. I recall tackling this in the early 1990’s as transformations were taking place. The options are often “change or die” - that is, a company must change the expectation or face bankruptcy. Both options impact the broad middle tier of employees in the same manner - they are often the ones who are laid off in companies. And if the company doesn’t change, everyone faces the same fate.


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[Sunny Arizona]

A former associate works in HR at one of those places. They like younger employees who share certain social values. If you don’t either fake it leave.

[Bigblu10]

Originally Posted by BristolCavendish

Curious if anyone has experienced this kind of thing. When I was in college (late 1970s), I worked during the summers at HP prior to its branching off into Agilent (test equipment) and information systems (computers). At the time, there was a longstanding employee mentality (i.e. the HP Way) which many old-timers bought into. It was essentially a mind set that the company provided an idyllic work environment and employees would always be taken care of in the process. Of course that all changed when Carly Fiorina took over the helm years later.

During the 1980s when 'Japan Inc.' was in full stride, this concept also seemed to prevail with company guarantees of 'lifetime employment' and prosperity for all of its employees. Studies of this successful business model also pointed out that worker conformity was paramount and 'the nail that stuck out would be pounded in.' Eventually these long-term assurances changed as production gradually moved to 3rd World/developing countries.

I had a conversation this weekend with two individuals who work for Google and Apple respectively. They mentioned that these two companies also have a cult mentality (sans the guarantee of lifetime employment). To them, it was almost 'Borg-like' from the standpoint of prescribed assimilation and blind devotion to corporate vision. Being somewhat independent thinkers and well-educated, they are now planning to leave these particular companies.

On a smaller scale, some of the 'multi-tiered' marketing operations also seem to operate on these premises (i.e. Amway, Mary Kay Cosmetics, Shaklee etc.). While it works for some, a clone-like mentality seems to offer the best assurances of success in these ventures.

Curious if anyone has been successfully absorbed into this kind of framework. After a couple of summers on the HP assembly line, I eventually opted for summer work as a fire observer/lookout tower as this seasonal endeavor was more closely related to my primary focus/major in college.

While I'll probably never be as wealthy (or own as many Rolexes) as some of the folks here, I just couldn't buy into the mindset of being a long-term corporate sycophant. Then again, the concept has proven successful for countless individuals and the more power to them.

You are obviously successful, as residing in San Francisco is not for the destitute. Very high cost of living but a beautiful part of the country IMO. Love visiting there!

[MrTwi]

Originally Posted by BristolCavendish

Curious if anyone has experienced this kind of thing.

??? You finished doing your research on https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=563431

suspect that the lotteries are potentially rigged and essentially a state-operated scam?

What did you find out? Maybe the state government workers have a cult mentality as part of scamming the public? It wouldn't surprise me. Cults are not limited to corporations. So how is the research going on finding out where the money is going?

[droptopman]

A bunch of friends I grew up with worked for Microsoft in the 80's-90's. Most retired in their 30's. Most talked about the corporate culture buy in as mandatory if you wanted to go anywhere with the company. Some really bought in and others faked it, but those that got in early (80's) were well rewarded either way.
Someone close to me did not like the groupthink mentality and regularly made satiric comments about the "sheep" However, he also talked about his stock options and his need to ride it out. He was mature enough to do what he needed to do to get where he wanted to go financially.
He did so well on his stocks he retired at 35 and to this day basically does whatever he wants.

I am not made up that way. I could not do it unless I really believed in what I am doing. Even if logically it makes sense, I would struggle with "faking" it.

[handsfull]

Originally Posted by Sunny Arizona

A former associate works in HR at one of those places. They like younger employees who share certain social values. If you don’t either fake it leave.

AKA = work for free/donate their time

I know many people who work for places like this. They typically like to hire people who's default answer is 'yes', and get paid via salary (not hourly). It's a great management strategy, that way they can have you work 50-80+ hours a week.

[zama]

I worked for a massive global health company most upon exit view it as a version of a cult. Any company that has some form of OURWAY statement has the making for it. Add in mandatory culture sessions stretching multiple days and you are in the go zone!

[Star Ferry]

Surprised nobody mentioned Bridgewater Associates.

I would think a lot of companies have a cult mentality -- it's a low cost way to motivate people. They end up following policy voluntarily and policing those who don't.

[Fleetlord]

Black and Decker used to be this way....as did Newell Rubbermaid...when the B&D CEO moved over there.

Employees were recruited straight from college and moved across the country as far as possible from friends and family so they could work in the field level without any distractions. They were brainwashed during their training and came out as soldiers of the company who would question nothing and do anything asked of them. They all had dreams of the big "marketing" promotion..it was gross.

This happens all the time and not just in techy techville. Trane is a big cult company to work for as is Stryker on the medical device side of things.

If you have to ask how to fit in this environment then you won't. You either have that mentality or you don't.

[Alexwwjd]

I think it compares to athletes. You are hired by a team and you must embrace its traditions and even the ones from the city you'll live from now on or at least until you get old, break a bone or trade you for a younger one. You must love (or fake) your colors.


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[Rock]

Most organisations have features that are characteristic of a 'cult'.
A spiritual leader (Boss, CEO) who the acolytes are encouraged to revere like a god.
A priesthood (upper management) who are god's chosen few and insulate him from the masses who work to ingratiate themselves in the hope of salvation (promotion)
Promotion of the view that the leaders are divinely inspired no matter how much evidence there is to the contrary.
Zero tolerance for dissenters who refuse to play "The Emperor's new clothes" game and attempt to draw attention to corruption, bullying, harassment, nepotism etc.
Phony 'bonding' (team-building) exercises where employees are encouraged to believe that the the organisation 'cares' about them.
Most organisations lie somewhere on the continuum. A lot of workers are gullible.
I have worked for government organisations that lie a bit closer to the right end than you'd expect.

[Star Ferry]

I think we'd get along, Rock

I do think smarter people tend to be less vulnerable. There's a reason Scientology goes after Hollywood celebs: tons of money, average IQs.

When I worked at an investment bank, only one guy in my group actually sipped the kool-aid, and he was by far the least intelligent person. Everyone else had a practical, mercenary approach.

[tamiya]

Originally Posted by BristolCavendish

.... It was essentially a mind set that the company provided an idyllic work environment and employees would always be taken care of in the process.

The complete INVERSE of that mindset would be GE & it's Six Sigma.

Total dog eat dog, top 20% get all the bonus and bottom 20% get the boot.

[RW16610]

I've without a doubt seen and experienced this myself. My first positing after completing college was pretty much like what was described above. They seemed to take it to another level with things posted everywhere at corporate (elevators, cafeteria, main entrance, washrooms...). It worked on most but thankfully it didn't on me.

[AzPaul]

Interesting and surprising. Not just in that so many are in agreement, but that this kind of corporate groupthink appears to be quite widespread. Not what I was expecting when I started working down through the entries.

[BravoOne]

I did not work for Google, but rather I worked directly for Larry Page, Sergey Brin, Eric Schmidt. Very easy to see where this group think comes from, as they are all vey smart, capable and above all, enthusiastic about the company. Nothing is impossible....

Might not be for everyone as they hire the best and the brightest, so consequently you don't always get people who are long term group thinkers and team players. I asked Schmidt one time how they hired for a special project. Did they find some with a background in the specific subject matter, i.e. a SME? He said no, we give them an IQ test ,and if they score high enough, we hire them. He chuckled, that many of his friends had not done to well on those tests, much to their chagrin.

Fortunately my job did not require that kind of pre employment evaluation!

[BristolCavendish]

Originally Posted by Star Ferry

I do think smarter people tend to be less vulnerable. There's a reason Scientology goes after Hollywood celebs: tons of money, average IQs.

I would suspect that any company (or organization, group etc.) that promotes a cult mentality is operating with ulterior motives in an effort to maintain productivity/order, financial resources or some sort of binding/blinding allegiance to the 'power elite' (i.e. those possessed with an unwavering 'control freak' mentality) over countless malleable and disposable pawns.

To surrender one's own sense of direction and/or personal decision-making capabilities to others is perhaps the sign of a low IQ or at best, cerebral laziness.