To be let go for no reason is like a huge slap in the face from a company that I really wanted to believe in

—An ex-employee of CloudFlare in this video.

Don’t humanize businesses. This video reminded me of that valuable lesson.

While I can’t verify the authenticity of this specific video, stories like this are unfortunately common in large corporations, especially during economic downturns.

Such examples offer a more objective perspective on corporations and challenge our tendency to idealize them—just because a corporation produces good technology or products doesn’t guarantee ethical behavior.

Yes, many factors shape an employee’s experience. Things can go wrong when implementing “business decisions.” But at their core, businesses are profit-driven organizations. They operate on different principles than individuals do.

I’m not saying that this is bad, but expecting businesses to prioritize people over profits often leads to disappointment. While small companies might behave more humanely if the founders allow it, larger corporations rarely do. Their scale exceeds an individual’s ability to influence.

Recognizing this reality allows for a more realistic perspective of the world. Admire the innovations, but keep your expectations grounded. Don’t let a company’s glossy image fool you into thinking it’s your friend.

Next time you hear about a corporation’s “culture” or “values”, remember: it’s business, not personal.