Personal Reflection : Why Your Company Should Be #1—Because YOU Work There

I know what you might be thinking. That sounds a little egotistical, doesn’t it? Saying that the company I work for should be the number one in the world because I work there? It almost feels arrogant. But hear me out.

This belief didn’t come to me overnight. It wasn’t something I decided on a whim. It’s something I’ve come to realize through years of working, leading, solving problems, and seeing firsthand what separates those who truly make an impact from those who simply collect a paycheck.

At its core, this idea isn’t about arrogance—it’s about ownership. It’s about shifting from being just another employee to someone who drives real change. It’s about refusing to let your career be defined by the reputation of your company and instead making your company’s reputation a reflection of you.

The Harsh Reality: Duality of Attachment and Detachment

Now, let’s be real for a moment. The modern corporate world isn’t exactly built on loyalty. We pour our time, energy, and passion into a company, but at the end of the day, the company can let us go with a single email. We feel an attachment to the organization, but the organization remains detached from us as individuals. It’s a harsh reality.

I’ve been there. I’ve seen people—brilliant, hardworking people—give everything they had to a company, only to be discarded when budgets tightened or strategies shifted. I’ve even been on the receiving end of it myself. And it forces you to ask: If companies can replace you so easily, why should you care so much?

The answer? Because the work you do transforms you.

The True Transformation Is Yours

When I say that the company should be number one because I work there, I’m not just talking about making the company better—I’m talking about making myself better. When I push myself to deliver excellence, innovate, solve problems, and take full ownership of what I do, I become someone who can create impact anywhere.

The company benefits, sure. Maybe it grows, maybe it saves money, maybe it gains a competitive edge. But that’s just a byproduct. The real transformation happens within me.

Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “The reward of a thing well done is to have done it.” It’s not about external validation. It’s about who you become by holding yourself to the highest standard, no matter where you work.

Stop Looking for the Best—Start Creating It

Early in my career, like many job seekers, I thought the key to success was working for a big, well-respected company. I figured that if I got hired by a top-tier firm, my career would be set. But over time, I realized something: great companies don’t just exist—they are built. And they are built by people like me.

I’ve seen it firsthand. I’ve worked at places where aerodynamics and thermal management were largely outsourced, and I took it upon myself to bring that expertise in-house, saving the company money and accelerating innovation. I’ve led projects that took vehicle design from months-long iterations to weeks, not because someone told me to, but because I saw what was possible and made it happen.

The turning point for me was when I stopped thinking, “I need to work for the best company,” and started thinking, “I need to make this company the best because I’m here.” That shift changed everything.

Your Job Title Doesn’t Define You—Your Impact Does

I won’t pretend that companies will suddenly become loyal because you work hard. They won’t. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t give your best. It just means you should understand why you’re doing it.

You’re not doing it because of company loyalty. You’re doing it because your work is a reflection of you.

Steve Martin once said, “Be so good they can’t ignore you.” That’s the mindset I bring to work, and it’s the mindset I encourage every job seeker to adopt.

At the end of the day, it’s not about being part of a great company. It’s about being so good that any company you work for becomes great because of you.

And when you approach work that way, success doesn’t just come to you. You create it.

Cheers to your journey—both now and ahead!