John Cutler · 3 min read · Product Teams
TBM 438: Am I the Only Weirdo in This Company?
Read the original on cutlefish.substack.com →
Feeling like a weirdo at work is common, but organizations often hide true diversity of beliefs behind observable norms. We typically see adaptation to power-weighted norms as if everyone shares them, while actual beliefs among people can be much broader. Leadership, visibility, and timing shape what gets rewarded and what appears 'normal,' and social media can mislead us into overestimating consensus.
Key Takeaways
- Observed behavior is shaped by power-weighted norms and adaptation, not necessarily by what people truly believe.
- People tailor their actions to belong, stay safe, or advance, which can make diverse beliefs look like conformity.
- Leaders influence what is rewarded and tolerated, creating reinforcement loops that exaggerate norm prevalence.
- Social media and professional platforms like LinkedIn amplify a narrow subset of beliefs, skewing perceptions of consensus.
- Understanding the real beliefs behind quirks takes time, trust, and the right context; visibility often distorts what’s actually present.
Excerpt
Have you ever felt like a complete weirdo in your company? Like there are only a handful of people who “get you”? Or have you gone to a conference and gotten a little confused because suddenly it seems like you have a lot more in common with everyone? Then you return to work, and somehow the weirdness comes back. You may be less alone than you think. One mistake we make is assuming that because an organization has certain rules, and because a handful of high-profile people seem to behave a certain way (and everyone seems to visibly go along…