As a psychologist and head of Talent Acquisition at a technology company, I’ve learned that career decisions are not only rational. We may like to think that we make choices based on data, but the truth is that motivation, satisfaction, and a sense of belonging play a key role as well.

In organizational psychology, we know that a well-designed work environment not only optimizes performance, but also reduces stress, increases satisfaction, and enhances professional development. After all, a company isn’t that different from a complex system: if its structure is buggy, its most valuable professionals will eventually go elsewhere.

Evaluate your environment as you would evaluate code: look for clarity, efficiency, and scalability. Here are four keys to knowing if you’re in the right place.

1. Clear purpose = Intrinsic motivation

In psychology, we know that intrinsic motivation - the kind that drives you from within - depends on having a clear purpose. If you don’t understand the impact of your work or where your company is headed, sooner or later you’ll lose interest.

At GMV, we know that the best engineers are looking for challenges aligned with a solid purpose, not just random tasks with no vision for the future.

2. A solid team = Psychological safety

Organizational psychology studies show that high-performing teams are not only technically talented, but also promote psychologically safety: members feel confident that they can express ideas, ask questions, and learn without being afraid of making mistakes.

💡 What really matters: An environment where you can collaborate freely, receive honest feedback, and grow without feeling that every decision is a risk.

A good team is like well-structured code: clear, efficient, and free of unnecessary friction.

3. Technological challenges = Flow state

The concept of flow state explains that we reach our peak performance when the challenge of a task is just right for our abilities.

⚙️ If projects are too easy, you get bored. If they’re too hard, you get frustrated. The key is finding a balance that drives you to improve without exhausting you.

4. Scalability = Personal and professional development

In developmental psychology, we know that continuous growth is one of the greatest sources of professional satisfaction. If you feel that you’re not learning or evolving, your brain interprets this as a dead end, which decreases motivation.

🚀 Look for an environment that encourages you to grow. If a company doesn’t offer you opportunities for training, new challenges, or continuous development, their system isn’t designed to scale with you.

Conclusion: choose a scalable system

If, when analyzing a company, you feel that its purpose is unclear, the team doesn’t encourage collaboration, the projects don’t challenge you, and there is no real growth, the signs couldn’t be clearer: it’s time to commit in another direction.

At GMV, we understand that talent thrives in well-designed environments that prioritize motivation, learning, and psychological safety. The best companies are like the best code: clear, efficient, and free of unnecessary bugs.

🛠 Choose your code wisely. Choose your company wisely. 

Author: Cristina Hernández