Pros
Strong individual contributors: Many talented, thoughtful people who genuinely cared about doing good work. Paycheck stability Moments of autonomy: In the absence of leadership, self-directed people could occasionally move work forward on their own.
Cons
Inconsistent management experience: Leadership quality and engagement varied significantly across teams, leading to uneven experiences. No clear vision, no inspirational leadership, and no consistent direction. Management was largely absent or disengaged. Unclear decision-making processes: It was often difficult to understand how or why decisions were made, which slowed execution and created confusion. Major decisions were made without considering downstream impacts, leaving frontline teams unsupported. Talent development was not a priority: Instead of investing in people, leadership focused on cost-cutting and removing employees. Pessimistic, eggshell environment: Unwritten rules, shifting expectations, and a constant sense of caution drained motivation and morale. Changing goals and initiatives made it challenging to plan long-term or feel confident in where to focus effort. Teams often operated defensively rather than collaboratively, reducing overall momentum.