--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I'd done my time in corporate America…" description: "\"I'd done my time in corporate America, from McDonald's making shakes to Morgan Stanley making deals and, yet, I felt awfully constrained by the uniform..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1e1/chip-conley-14348_america_i-d-done-my-time-in-corporate-america-fr_163916.jpg" --- # I'd done my time in corporate America, from McDonald's… ![“I'd done my time in corporate America, from McDonald's making shakes to Morgan Stanley making deals and, yet, I felt awfully constrained by the uniform - not just my clothes, but how I felt I needed to conform - that a traditional job required me to wear.” quote by Chip Conley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1e1/chip-conley-14348_america_i-d-done-my-time-in-corporate-america-fr_163916.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1e1/chip-conley-14348_america_i-d-done-my-time-in-corporate-america-fr_163916.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1e1/chip-conley-14348_america_i-d-done-my-time-in-corporate-america-fr_163916.jpg) > “I'd done my time in corporate America, from McDonald's making shakes to Morgan Stanley making deals and, yet, I felt awfully constrained by the uniform - not just my clothes, but how I felt I needed to conform - that a traditional job required me to wear.” [Chip Conley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chip-conley/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Corporate norms can feel restrictive, stifling personal expression and creativity. **In simple terms:** Uniformity can suppress individuality and innovation. Key Takeaway Seek environments that value authenticity. Themes work culture individuality conformity Mood thoughtful determined Type advice reflective When to use this quote - career choices - entrepreneurship - creative projects - team dynamics Key Concepts organizational behavior personal freedom Questions to Reflect On - What aspects of uniformity help you thrive? - How can you inject personal style into a structured setting? A Different Perspective Some structures provide necessary discipline and shared purpose. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [America](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/america/) [Clothes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clothes/) [Corporate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/corporate/) [Corporate america](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/corporate-america/) [Job](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/job/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Uniform](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/uniform/) ## Related quotes > [“I felt most awfully braced. I felt as if the clouds had rolled away and all was as it used to be. I felt…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-g-wodehouse/i-felt-most-awfully-braced-i-felt-as-if-the-clouds-had-rolled-away/) [P.G. Wodehouse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-g-wodehouse/) > [Don't ingest foods made in places where everyone is required to wear a surgical cap.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-pollan/don-t-ingest-foods-made-in-places-where-everyone-is-required-to-wear/) [Michael Pollan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-pollan/) > [We don't feel constrained by what we did in the past.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-odenkirk/we-don-t-feel-constrained-by-what-we-did-in-the-past/) [Bob Odenkirk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-odenkirk/) > [Constraint theory argues a number of things. First, that the impossible has to be identified. Second, that the actor is then constrained by circumstances…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-friedman/constraint-theory-argues-a-number-of-things-first-that-the-impossible/) [George Friedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-friedman/) > [I will never be by violence constrained to do anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-i/i-will-never-be-by-violence-constrained-to-do-anything/) [Elizabeth I](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-i/) > [Even if you have constrained resources, don't cut corners. People will feel it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-fadell/even-if-you-have-constrained-resources-don-t-cut-corners-people-will/) [Tony Fadell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-fadell/) > [One of the reasons I wanted to leave my position at Common Cause and return to politics was to regain the freedom to speak…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chellie-pingree/one-of-the-reasons-i-wanted-to-leave-my-position-at-common-cause-and/) [Chellie Pingree](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chellie-pingree/) > [Constrained circumstances can bring the best out of you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cameron-mackintosh/constrained-circumstances-can-bring-the-best-out-of-you/) [Cameron Mackintosh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cameron-mackintosh/) > [The great thing about the Cthulhu shared-world setting is that no one owns the copyright, so I'm not constrained by publisher conventions, and anything…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-conyers/the-great-thing-about-the-cthulhu-shared-world-setting-is-that-no-one/) David Conyers > [I know my judicial role is further constrained by careful adherence to precedent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ketanji-brown-jackson/i-know-my-judicial-role-is-further-constrained-by-careful-adherence/) [Ketanji Brown Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ketanji-brown-jackson/) > [I loved Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton's 'Inside No 9.' The way that they constrained each episode to a single location, then tasked themselves…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-riley/i-loved-reece-shearsmith-and-steve-pemberton-s-inside-no-9-the-way/) [Tom Riley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-riley/) > [ Resource-constrained environment \[are\] fancy Pentagon words that mean there isn't enough money to go around. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/resource-constrained-environment-are-fancy-pentagon-words-that-mean/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [But ultimately what I was impressed by during my years in government was how much the intellectual climate and the prevailing intellectual notions constrained…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-summers/but-ultimately-what-i-was-impressed-by-during-my-years-in-government/) [Lawrence Summers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-summers/) > [“With limited training data, a more constrained model tends to perform better.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-d-manning/with-limited-training-data-a-more-constrained-model-tends-to-perform/) Christopher d. manning > [Once you are accustomed to giving your body a daily workout, you feel constrained when you don't exercise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vera-ellen/once-you-are-accustomed-to-giving-your-body-a-daily-workout-you-feel/) [Vera-Ellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vera-ellen/) ## More by Chip Conley > [I do interview senior candidates at the home office or many of our hotel or restaurant General Manager candidates. My two favorite questions are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chip-conley/i-do-interview-senior-candidates-at-the-home-office-or-many-of-our/) [Chip Conley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chip-conley/) > [“Anxiety = Uncertainty x Powerlessness”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chip-conley/anxiety-uncertainty-x-powerlessness/) [Chip Conley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chip-conley/) > [“Curiosity = Wonder + Awe”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chip-conley/curiosity-wonder-awe/) [Chip Conley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chip-conley/) > [At the heart of great leadership is a curious mind, heart, and spirit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chip-conley/at-the-heart-of-great-leadership-is-a-curious-mind-heart-and-spirit/) [Chip Conley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chip-conley/) > [Business principles are only as good as the practices that back them up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chip-conley/business-principles-are-only-as-good-as-the-practices-that-back-them/) [Chip Conley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chip-conley/) > [Many people do not distinguish between something that happens to them and their reaction to it. Yet it isn't the event or situation that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chip-conley/many-people-do-not-distinguish-between-something-that-happens-to-them/) [Chip Conley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chip-conley/) > [Isn't it ironic that pay, perks, and benefits all cost your company at the bottom line, but authentic recognition, especially when it's most unexpected,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chip-conley/isn-t-it-ironic-that-pay-perks-and-benefits-all-cost-your-company-at/) [Chip Conley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chip-conley/) > [Conventional wisdom suggests the primary motivator for entrepreneurs is money or wealth creation and, in fact, much of the political debate tends to center…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chip-conley/conventional-wisdom-suggests-the-primary-motivator-for-entrepreneurs/) [Chip Conley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chip-conley/) > [Curiosity has ... proven to be a great ingredient in resilience, a trait particularly valuable in an extended economic downturn. Resilient people aren't made…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chip-conley/curiosity-has-proven-to-be-a-great-ingredient-in-resilience-a-trait/) [Chip Conley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chip-conley/) > [Feeling good about your life, but not expressing a heartfelt 'thank you,' is like wrapping a gift for someone and never giving it to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chip-conley/feeling-good-about-your-life-but-not-expressing-a-heartfelt-thank-you/) [Chip Conley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chip-conley/) > [Whether we're conscious of it or not, our work and personal lives are made up of daily rituals, including when we eat our meals,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chip-conley/whether-we-re-conscious-of-it-or-not-our-work-and-personal-lives-are/) [Chip Conley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chip-conley/) > [When I started my hotel company, Joie de Vivre, at the age of 26, I saw this venture as my ticket to freedom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chip-conley/when-i-started-my-hotel-company-joie-de-vivre-at-the-age-of-26-i-saw/) [Chip Conley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chip-conley/) > [“Mark Twain didn’t dabble in psychological focus groups, but he certainly knew something about human nature when he wrote, “Twenty years from now you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chip-conley/mark-twain-didn-t-dabble-in-psychological-focus-groups-but-he/) [Chip Conley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chip-conley/) > [Those of us who have been lucky enough to experience a calling in our work have a certain faith and peace of mind that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chip-conley/those-of-us-who-have-been-lucky-enough-to-experience-a-calling-in-our/) [Chip Conley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chip-conley/) > [The more we ignore our emotions, the more likely they are to wield a powerful influence over us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chip-conley/the-more-we-ignore-our-emotions-the-more-likely-they-are-to-wield-a/) [Chip Conley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chip-conley/) [Explore all 47 Chip Conley quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chip-conley/) ## More America quotes > [The costs of the Bush-Obama wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are now estimated to run as high as $4.4 trillion - a major victory…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/the-costs-of-the-bush-obama-wars-in-iraq-and-afghanistan-are-now/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [Young men, especially in America, write to me and ask me to recommend “a course of reading.” Distrust a course of reading! People who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-lang/young-men-especially-in-america-write-to-me-and-ask-me-to-recommend-a/) [Andrew Lang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-lang/) > [Well, The Day the Earth Caught Fire was a story... I don't if anybody knows what it is but it was about... in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/val-guest/well-the-day-the-earth-caught-fire-was-a-story-i-don-t-if-anybody/) [Val Guest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/val-guest/) > [So here's what I want you to know, and here's what I want all our men and women in uniform to know: Because of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/so-here-s-what-i-want-you-to-know-and-here-s-what-i-want-all-our-men/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [Today, the world looks to America for leadership. And America looks to its Corps of Marines.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/today-the-world-looks-to-america-for-leadership-and-america-looks-to/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [The image of blacks usually is one of people who are suffering from hunger, unemployment, and poverty. The idea of them as agents and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grace-lee-boggs/the-image-of-blacks-usually-is-one-of-people-who-are-suffering-from/) [Grace Lee Boggs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grace-lee-boggs/) > [ I'll smoke, I'll cough, I'll get the tumors, I'll die, deal? Thank you America. \[salutes\] ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-hicks/i-ll-smoke-i-ll-cough-i-ll-get-the-tumors-i-ll-die-deal-thank-you/) [Bill Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-hicks/) > [America is a democracy and has no Hitler, but I am afraid for her future; there are hard times ahead for the American people,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/america-is-a-democracy-and-has-no-hitler-but-i-am-afraid-for-her/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [I'm gonna bring America together.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/i-m-gonna-bring-america-together/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [In the nineteenth century some parts of the world were unexplored, but there was almost no restriction on travel.:; Up to 1914 you did…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-orwell/in-the-nineteenth-century-some-parts-of-the-world-were-unexplored-but/) [George Orwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-orwell/) > [We need a system that serves our needs, not the needs of others. Remember, under a Trump administration it's called America first. Remember that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/we-need-a-system-that-serves-our-needs-not-the-needs-of-others/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [America, you're sending girls a mixed message. On one hand, you're saying to have positive body image and love who we are; on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adora-svitak/america-you-re-sending-girls-a-mixed-message-on-one-hand-you-re/) [Adora Svitak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adora-svitak/) > [You live overseas, you see these exotic places and you want to know about them. But, weirdly, it also made me homesick for all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-jennings/you-live-overseas-you-see-these-exotic-places-and-you-want-to-know/) [Ken Jennings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-jennings/) > [Freedom in every sense but primarily political sense, a rise in repression that stems from a repression of sexuality. It's AIDS, it's herpes, it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-nicholson/freedom-in-every-sense-but-primarily-political-sense-a-rise-in/) [Jack Nicholson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-nicholson/) > [“In American terms, the accomplishment of Genghis Khan might be understood if the United States, instead of being created by a group of educated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-weatherford/in-american-terms-the-accomplishment-of-genghis-khan-might-be/) [Jack Weatherford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-weatherford/) [Browse all 20,382 America quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/america/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I'd done my time in corporate America, from McDonald's making shakes to Morgan Stanley making deals and, yet, I felt awfully constrained by the uniform - not just my clothes, but how I felt I needed to conform - that a traditional job required me to wear.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Chip Conley" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chip-conley/i-d-done-my-time-in-corporate-america-from-mcdonald-s-making-shakes/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "America" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chip-conley/i-d-done-my-time-in-corporate-america-from-mcdonald-s-making-shakes/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1e1/chip-conley-14348_america_i-d-done-my-time-in-corporate-america-fr_163916.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1e1/chip-conley-14348_america_i-d-done-my-time-in-corporate-america-fr_163916.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1e1/chip-conley-14348_america_i-d-done-my-time-in-corporate-america-fr_163916.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I'd done my time in corporate America, from McDonald's making shakes to Morgan Stanley making deals and…” — Chip Conley", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Chip Conley", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chip-conley/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I'd done my time in corporate...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chip-conley/i-d-done-my-time-in-corporate-america-from-mcdonald-s-making-shakes/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chip-conley/i-d-done-my-time-in-corporate-america-from-mcdonald-s-making-shakes/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```