Job organizational preference: Fishes and ponds

[mongers]

Hard to say. I've never really worked in a company that has less than a few thousand employees, so I only know "small fish in big pond". It certainly has its advantages and disadvantages and I can understand it's not everybody's preferred work environment. I am occasionally doubting that it is the right thing for me too, but then it's all I know, so I don't know if "big fish in small pond" would be more my thing.

Well in my experience working in a "small pond" your co-workers know you better and your direct supervisor has a much better ability to assess how you're doing.  That leads to generally greater trust in your ability, and less bereaucratic nonsense.

The downside, of course, it that fish grow to fit the size of their tank.  You can only go so far up the ladder in a small pond.

I was probably at a point in my career where moving to the big main office was a good idea.  But it sure is easy to get lost in the crowd, and hard to stand out.

Ponds have ladder now ?

You'd be better of with changing the analogy that Marti could vet for you.

[Richard Hakluyt]

He needs the fish ladder to get to the next pond or further upstream, only then can he spawn 

[Admiral Yi]

My experience in a Small Pond has led me to the conclusion that it is totally dependent on the personalities around you.  Not so much in a Big Pond.

[Barrister]

Hard to say. I've never really worked in a company that has less than a few thousand employees, so I only know "small fish in big pond". It certainly has its advantages and disadvantages and I can understand it's not everybody's preferred work environment. I am occasionally doubting that it is the right thing for me too, but then it's all I know, so I don't know if "big fish in small pond" would be more my thing.

Well in my experience working in a "small pond" your co-workers know you better and your direct supervisor has a much better ability to assess how you're doing.  That leads to generally greater trust in your ability, and less bereaucratic nonsense.

The downside, of course, it that fish grow to fit the size of their tank.  You can only go so far up the ladder in a small pond.

I was probably at a point in my career where moving to the big main office was a good idea.  But it sure is easy to get lost in the crowd, and hard to stand out.

Ponds have ladder now ?

They most certainly do!

[Monoriu]

Bureaucratic nonsense is good. 

[mongers]

Hard to say. I've never really worked in a company that has less than a few thousand employees, so I only know "small fish in big pond". It certainly has its advantages and disadvantages and I can understand it's not everybody's preferred work environment. I am occasionally doubting that it is the right thing for me too, but then it's all I know, so I don't know if "big fish in small pond" would be more my thing.

Well in my experience working in a "small pond" your co-workers know you better and your direct supervisor has a much better ability to assess how you're doing.  That leads to generally greater trust in your ability, and less bereaucratic nonsense.

The downside, of course, it that fish grow to fit the size of their tank.  You can only go so far up the ladder in a small pond.

I was probably at a point in my career where moving to the big main office was a good idea.  But it sure is easy to get lost in the crowd, and hard to stand out.

Ponds have ladder now ?

They most certainly do!

Oh that'll be one of those 'special' ponds with one dimension surprisingly long, anywhere from 20-4000 miles across, but rather narrow across the other way.   

edit:
though your analogy is far superior to Marti's, his would have to include concrete, Flemish lace-making and day trading.

[Admiral Yi]

Christ.