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Companies are Not Families. That’s a Good Thing.

There it was again on LinkedIn.

Let’s talk about this for a sec: that warm, fuzzy "we're like family here" corporate messaging that makes everyone simultaneously nod and cringe.

1 Tip: Don’t Talk About Your Company as “Family”

Here's the truth: Companies aren't families. They're teams. And thank goodness for that, because have you been to a family Thanksgiving lately?

In your family, you can't fire Aunt Karen for showing up three sheets to the wind, lipstick on her teeth, sharing her "unfiltered" political views, and asking your cousin when she's finally going to settle down and have kids. She's family—you're stuck with her and her insta-headache holiday boxed wine.

But in a company? That kind of behavior would have HR speed-dialing your boss faster than you can say "inappropriate workplace conduct."

The Team vs. Family Dynamic in Corporate Culture

Let's break down why this distinction between family and team matters:

Families:

• Accept you unconditionally (theoretically)

• Keep you around despite poor performance

• Tolerate your questionable life choices

• Can't fire you for lying about eating the last cookie

Companies:

• Accept you based on value creation

• Expect consistent performance

• Require professional behavior

• Can (and should) part ways when things aren't working

Teams are Healthier and Honest(er)

And here's the beautiful thing about companies being teams instead of families: it's actually more honest. Teams have clear objectives, defined roles, and mutual expectations. When you join a team, you know the deal—perform well, contribute positively, and you'll stay on the roster. Fumble too many times, and well... there's always fantasy football.

This isn't harsh—it's healthy. When companies pretend to be families, they create false expectations and emotional manipulation. Real teams foster authentic relationships based on mutual respect, shared goals, and professional growth.

Think about it: you wouldn't expect the Patriots to keep a quarterback who throws interceptions in every game just because "we're family." Similarly, you shouldn't expect companies to retain employees who consistently underperform or violate trust just to maintain the family facade.

So, the next time you're interviewing a candidate and feel the need to start gushing about how you’re "family," consider that it may be taken as the corporate equivalent of a first date with you saying, "I'm totally normal (and then awkwardly laughing)"—probably seen as a major red flag. Real teams don't need to disguise themselves as families any more than Tom Brady needed to pretend he was the Patriots' (and referees’) adopted son.

The Wrap-Up

Professional relationships work best when they're honest, direct, and based on mutual value—not guilt trips and mandatory "family" game nights (aka “happy hours). Besides, you already have one family trying to rope you into their MLM scheme and secretly talking about your life choices. You don't need another one disguised as your 9-to-5.

And hey, at least with Aunt Karen, you only have to deal with her scandalous behavior during major holidays. In a "family-style" workplace, you'd be stuck with that energy in every Monday morning status meeting.

Go get 'em! 🚀

—Brenden

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