While a career with a large corporation offers many benefits, there can be disadvantages as well. In some cases, you get on a certain management track that provides little satisfaction or potential for the future. The more rigid the organizational structure and culture, the greater the influence it's likely to have in shaping your professional and personal lifestyles and attitudes. As a partner of Price Waterhouse for a number of years, I had the opportunity to observe many companies very closely. I was able to observe successful and unsuccessful leadership in both large and small companies.
Leadership determines how a company is perceived in the marketplace.
For example, two of the largest banks in the Southeast are NCNB and Wachovia. Both are excellent, well-managed banks. One is perceived as aggressive and growth-oriented and the other as conservative. Each reflects the leadership style of its senior management. In a smaller company, the leadership style is more evident and easier to alter when necessary.