Photo by Hernan Sanchez on Unsplash

Startups are sexy. They’re hip. They may offer a lot of fun perks. There may be ping pong. There may be video games. There may even be beer. It’s like living in a frat house, but you get paid. You may even get a bunch of stock options that might be worth a fortune one day. If you’re lucky.

On the flip side, there’s no doubt that working for a large corporation has a lot of benefits. They tend to pay well. They tend to offer great benefits like healthcare, 401(k) matching, opportunities for travel, and opportunities for growth.

However, working for a large company tends to get a bad wrap. It’s big. It can be bureaucratic. It can be political. In this environment, it’s easy to fall into the trap of just going through the motions, only looking forward to your next paycheck. It’s easy to burn out. It’s easy to just say “to hell with it” and give up trying to make an impact.

The trouble is that humans love making an impact. We want to make a difference and for people to notice our work. We want to feel like we’re making a difference.

But working for a large corporation can be rewarding, and you can make an impact. The great news is there are some strategies we can use to not only get ahead but also thrive in a large corporate environment.

Here are a few quick tips to get your on the path to thriving in a large organization:

• Build strong relationships
• Find a gap and fill it
• Make your own path
• Bring your whole self to work
• Avoid burnout

Build strong relationships

Relationships are critical to getting ahead in a large organization. Learn the organization structure and understand who you need to talk to. Find the people that can help you make a difference and get to know them.

Remember that relationships go both ways. Just like any other professional networking relationship, make sure you do what you can to help out someone else.

Schedule a series of thirty-minute one-on-ones or get-to-knows with key employees. Find something that you can connect on like a favorite sports team, food, hobby, etc. In our experience, keeping these types of conversations casual helps to break down barriers and build trust.

On your next conference call don’t skip the small talk. Get to know the people on your team on a personal level. Ask how their weekend was, or if their kid is feeling better after staying home from school. Little things like this are appreciated and encourage your team to open up. If you’re video conferencing, turn on your camera. You might be surprised how often other participants will follow along. Don’t be afraid to be vulnerable and remember that leaders are humans too. They just might have a fancier title.

If you’re working with a distributed team across many countries, try learning a few words in your colleagues native tongue. You don’t have to be fluent, but learning simple words like “hello,” “thank you,” and “I’m sorry” will show that you care about them and their culture.

Remember that relationships go both ways. Just like any other professional networking relationship, make sure you do what you can to help out someone else. Even if you’re new to the organization you may have some skill another team might find valuable.

Find a gap and fill it

Are you passionate about design, but your organization doesn’t have a strong design team? Maybe you can help build a design department. Is your organization lacking in the Agile space? Maybe you can help lead a transformation team.

Becoming the go-to person that can fill the holes in your organization’s structure will ensure you’re a critical part of the team that is adding value on a regular basis.

Make your own path

A seldom talked about benefit of larger organizations is that they may be willing to help you grow beyond the scope of your current role. Find something you are passionate about and make it for yourself. Is there an emerging technology that you’ve had your eye on, but maybe is flying under the radar of leadership? Maybe you have the answer?

Use the connections you’ve built within the organization and discover who can help you get where you want to go. Don’t forget to be explicit and work with your manager to get where you need to go. Chances are good they don’t read minds, so if you want something, ask for it.

Bring your whole self to work

More and more, organizations are encouraging their employees to bring their whole self to work. Don’t be afraid to be you. If you feel comfortable, put a picture of you and your partner on your desk. Love wearing Hawaiian shirts? Wear the clothes you want to wear (as appropriate). Don’t be afraid to be yourself at work.

Find the little things that bring you joy and share it with your team. Love dips? How about starting Dip Day. Love to cook? Start a cooking club. Or find an affinity group that can help you connect with other like-minded colleagues.

Avoid Burnout

The trouble with burnout is that it creeps up slowly, then all at once. Self-care and personal time are critical to sit back and reflect. Don’t take on more than you can handle. Don’t be afraid to say “no.”

Take advantage of paid time off. Don’t assume that you’ll look lazy for taking time off that you’ve worked hard to earn. If you are having a baby you may be fortunate enough to receive maternity or paternity leave. Take full advantage of the time off and enjoy the time with your family. There will always be time to work!

Use your large team to your advantage. In a large organization the chances are small that you’re the only person who can do what you do. Are you feeling overwhelmed? Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

It’s easy to get into the flow and lose track of how much time you’re spending on a task. Don’t forget to take time to decompress. Take a walk. Take a break. Find your coping mechanism. Turn off the notifications at a set time each day and decompress. Spend time with your family or your friends. Go shoot some pool, play some video games, go to the gym. Don’t forget to enjoy the good things in life.

Working for a large corporation can sound like a daunting prospect. The larger the company, the easier it can be to slip into the trap of feeling like a number with no real voice. But following the advice we’ve laid out here, you will not only survive working in this type of environment, but you can definitely thrive!