Fearless Inventory #2

I think I copped out on my #1 post. Here are a few things that are wrong with me and probably contributed to my employer wanting a change:
1. I didn't try hard enough to work the problems out directly. They were "fought" at a higher level.
* I had two difficult people to work with. When I say difficult - they were difficult for me (and I suspect several others). Some people didn't  have a problem with them, but I did. Both were department heads. I respected each of their talents but not the "leaders" they were supposed to be. There are similarities between the two of them: Both highly passionate (high strung), both most often said "we can't do that, we're short staffed, we have too much to do, you're not giving us enough time to do that". I could have used all three of those arguments myself, but never did. Unfortunately for me, every time I (or my team) did something, they would go running to a C-level person (same person by chance) and complain. I will not take this approach in the future. 
2. I let them get under my skin - I let them get to me. Sometimes I just couldn't keep my mouth shut. I don't think I was ever unprofessional, but I wouldn't back down. I wouldn't give in. I'm not sure what was the right thing to do would have been (in my heart, I still think I did the right thing). I always fought for what I thought was best for my client, not what was best for the agency. I am working on this in my personal and professional life. I am trying to gain wisdom and often that comes with my silence - think things through. 
3. Probably biggest of all, I went to their staff. They both had talented staff and they never gave those four canned responses. I truly hope it wasn't because of my title or position. I think they felt it was the right thing to do for the client as well. I will not do this again, unless I talk to their supervisor first. 
4. I trusted a C-level person that was also an "Empire Builder". This person looked after their own - and I wasn't one of the chosen. I didn't go with the flow. I didn't bend to the process. I didn't bend to the cookie cutter, highly profitable, low operational impact mantra that they wanted. Trust is a tricky thing. I need more wisdom on this. 
5. I couldn't play the game. I usually can, but it went against my better judgement and my character "flaw". I fully embrace that I need an environment that has few restrictions. For the most part, I can work within the guidelines, but if I know something can be done - then why can't we do it?
6. I did not embrace the new process. The process became a monster (in my eyes), more training, more time, more restrictions, more constraints, more "that's your job, not mine". And they were getting ready to implement another software system after I left. Every year they added another "efficiency improvement". Like we worked in a manufacturing plant, not customer service. UGH, I couldn't stand it. It was another example of empire building.

I'll share more faults in future posts, but these are directly related to my career. I'm trying to find the right job that's meant for me. I've identified a few cultures that aren't for me.

What culture do you thrive in? Or which ones aren't right for you?