For those of us who remember (or for the rest who check Wikipedia) the people who actually drank the Kool Aid in Jonestown were the members of a cult who willingly poisoned themselves (and their children) to expedite their journey to the Great Hereafter. The historical event has morphed into a derisive short hand for the people who willingly embrace their employers’ cultures to the point where they seem to give up some or all of their personal identities in behalf of the ‘greater corporate good’.
Corporate history is filled with examples of overly insular companies with incredibly powerful cultures that ultimately led to historic and catastrophic collapses (did anyone say Enron?). Drinking the Kool Aid can have dire consequences for employees, customers, shareholders and the economy at large.
Sometimes, however, the dysfunctional ones are on the outside looking in (or on the inside itching to get out). Their apathy and cynicism and envy prevents them from seeing and appreciating how it feels to be engaged, challenged, supported and even delighted by a robust and exciting company culture. These companies do exist. On most mornings their employees are eager to start their jobs and don’t start watching the clock at 5 or 4 or 3 in the afternoon. They aren’t brainwashed or drugged. They willingly choose to view their work and their companies as making a positive contribution to society. These companies also set the bar pretty high in order before you can get through the front door.
It’s more than likely that most of the companies during your career won’t be one of the special ones. But if you ever find yourself in one of them, let go of your misgivings about ‘drinking the Kool Aid’ and find out what all the excitement is about.