I’ve worked in publishing, fine jewelry, medical & dental distribution, and now medical device manufacturing. Today, I lead the development of medical products that help people recover from injury or surgery and support them as they age with dignity. It is not the linear path I imagined early in my career, but it has taught me more than any single title ever could. Especially when it comes to culture fit.
For a long time, I misunderstood what culture fit really meant. I assumed it was about liking your coworkers or aligning with a company’s mission. Now I know it goes much deeper. It affects everything from your confidence to your performance to your overall energy. And I learned that the hard way.
When I joined a global luxury diamond company, it felt like the right move. The brand was prestigious. The products were stunning. The people were smart and polished. I came from a company where I was respected and trusted, and I assumed that credibility would carry with me. I had built a strong reputation and expected it would travel with me into the next chapter.
It didn’t.
And I didn’t adjust quickly enough. I stayed for two years, believing the friction I felt was something I needed to push through. I thought maybe it was just me. Maybe I was being impatient. Maybe I needed to prove myself a little more.
What I eventually learned is that how you show up in the first ninety days of a new company or division is critical. That window sets the tone. If you do not establish credibility early, it becomes nearly impossible to change the narrative. Once people decide who they think you are, they filter everything you do through that lens. I had come in confident, but I had not been intentional. That misstep followed me the entire time I was there, and it left a lasting impact.
When I transitioned into the medical and dental equipment space, it was not part of a big career plan. It was simply the next opportunity that made sense at the time. What I found was a different kind of work and a very different kind of culture. It was not glamorous, but it was grounded. It was not high profile, but it was high impact.
From the very beginning, the difference was clear. My first few weeks were filled with nothing but meet and greets so I could build the relationships I needed to be effective. I was offered training and real coaching. Leaders at all levels made themselves available. They were eager to help, generous with their knowledge, and invested in my success. That kind of support builds confidence quickly, and it lasts.
After several years, I found myself outgrowing the culture. I had learned a tremendous amount and built a strong foundation, but I was ready to move faster and execute on my ideas with greater ownership. That shift led me into medical device manufacturing, where I could have a deeper hand in product development and business strategy.
Today, I solve problems that matter. I build products that help people move through hard seasons of life with more comfort and confidence. I work alongside people who are less concerned with appearances and more focused on outcomes. I have a voice. I have momentum. And I have energy.
The work is demanding. The pace is fast. But it does not drain me it drives me. I am in a culture where my values, my working style, and the speed I move are aligned. That alignment makes all the difference.
Are people set up to collaborate or pitted against each other? Are empathy and understanding part of how the organization operates? Are people given the tools, resources, and context they need to do their jobs well?
In the wrong culture, even the most capable people can feel stuck. You start to doubt yourself. You leave meetings drained. You pour energy into translation instead of execution.
In the right culture, even hard days feel productive. You may be tired, but you are not depleted. There is traction. There is trust. You feel like your effort matters and your impact is visible. That kind of alignment is not a perk. It is a power source.
Since that experience, I approach any new role, team, or division with far more intention. I understand how critical it is to establish trust early, so I focus on bringing my best work from the very beginning. I listen before I lead. I take the time to understand how decisions are made, what actually moves the needle, and where I can create meaningful value.
I no longer assume that past success will speak for itself. I make it a priority to deliver clear impact by identifying gaps others have missed, creating tangible return on investment, and adding something that was not there before. I also understand the importance of making my leader look good and their job easier. That is not politics. It is strategic partnership, and it builds trust quickly.
Reputation is built early and earned daily. I now treat those first ninety days as a launch window, not a warm-up period. How you show up shapes what you are allowed to build next.
If your role looks great on paper but leaves you feeling exhausted and invisible, trust that instinct. You are not broken. You may just be in the wrong room.
The right culture will not make work effortless. But it will make effort feel meaningful.
And when that happens, everything changes.
Rate each statement on a scale of 1 to 5
1 = Not at all true
5 = Very true
1. I understand how decisions are made in my organization
2. The pace and style of work here match how I naturally operate
3. I am clear on what success looks like and how to achieve it
4. I feel safe speaking up, even when I disagree
5. My ideas are taken seriously by the people who matter
6. There is genuine collaboration here, not just competition in disguise
7. I leave most meetings feeling energized rather than drained
8. I am trusted to do my job without unnecessary oversight
9. I feel like I am growing here, not just grinding through the work
10. If a close friend asked if they should work here, I would recommend it without hesitation
41 to 50: You are likely in a strong, aligned culture
31 to 40: Mostly positive, but be mindful of areas that feel off
21 to 30: Signs of misalignment are present and worth exploring
20 or below: You are likely in the wrong culture and may need to consider a change
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