"The general direction of the big company you are employed at vs. making sure you are the most beloved and respected person in your department." Well, that's a

"The general direction of the big company you are employed at vs. making sure you are the most beloved and respected person in your department." Well, that's a completely false dichotomy right there. If you're unhappy with the direction of the company you're employed at, you have the option to leave and look for a job with another company that you think is better. As someone currently taking my first steps towards doing exactly that, it's certainly risky and terrifying, but not impossible or entirely uncontrollable.