Every workplace is different. What matters in one organization may or may not matter elsewhere.
First, you need to know what matters to YOU on a deep level. Know what you believe. Know what you stand for. Know what you can't support. Know what you can't stand for.
Second, you need to really think about the culture and values of your organization. Of course, the best case is that you learn about an organization before you get there. But there is no time like the present. If you are feeling out of place at work, you should double check to see if the problem is a values-misfit.
Third, once you identify the culture and values, make sure you can get on board. Ask yourself: Will YOU feel good, or at least feel comfortable, about contributing to this workplace? Can YOU fit in here? Can YOU succeed here?
If you are really out of sync with the culture and values of the organization of where you are working, you will have a very hard time succeeding there.
If you feel so strongly about free speech that you often curse aloud, then you shouldn't be working in an elementary school.
If you are a dedicated anarchist, then you shouldn't be working for the IRS.
If you refuse to wear a uniform, then you shouldn't be a police officer.
If you don't believe in community service, then you shouldn't go work at the YMCA.
If you don't believe in eating meat, then you shouldn't go work at a steakhouse.
We don't need to decide whether any of these beliefs happens to be right or wrong, on either side of the equation. These are just examples of culture- or values-misfits. And YOU need to know, such a misfit will really hold YOU back. So, if you are in a misfit situation, either look elsewhere for a better fit, or else you better get in sync with your employer's values and culture.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not suggesting for a moment that you should embrace and adopt an organization's values and culture as your own, if you don't have the same beliefs. I'm only suggesting that if you can't get in sync, then you really should be planning your exit.
