I'll attempt to map these to the "Company traits" which are very much a one-way system and only really apply to the people who actually do the work. You're asked to live and breath this but if leadership were really honest with themselves I think they'd see themselves falling short on every trait more often than not.
Disclaimer - This refers specifically to senior leadership, many peers and middle management are exemplary individuals.
– OWNERSHIP AND ACCOUNTABILITY
They say Plum is not a place to be told what to do. But, you won't own decision making on projects you work on, and often you won't even get to decide the approach.
When outcomes are positive, they'll promote these internally showing their finesse in decisive leadership. When things don't deliver, leadership are scarce and leave the team they lead to take full responsibility. Your rationale is considered an excuse and their excuses, rationale.
– PROACTIVENESS
"Be the driver, not the passenger" they say. There have been examples of people actually being penalised when taking initiative to solve issues.
Think honestly, how proactive is your leadership? This is mainly demonstrated through the "figure it out/sink or swim" management approach with is downright lazy, not proactive.
– SENSE OF URGENCY
Arguably the most laughable of the lot. Plum moves fast, but doesn't move effectively. Things move quickly because we're disorganised and operate on fear and stress. Whilst prioritising speed above user trust, system reliability and scalability Plum is excels at delivering at a snails pace. Saying "Speed is our main competitive advantage" over and over does not make it true.
– STRONG EXECUTION
Leadership's main role is to provide vision and clear the path for success.
But they create a buffet of word salads it nearly every piece of communication, which leaves people scratching their heads and wasting time deciphering whats been said. Their ability to unblock teams, drive process and culture change would land anyone else on a Performance Improvement Plan.
Plum doesn't even have a QA function, which slows down putting the product in people's hands and ensures that people are overworked and simple bugs hit production and live there permanently. Let this sink in, a fintech that operates in a highly regulated space, with billions of pounds in AUM doesn't have sufficient quality assurance on the product they build. Those poor users.
– ALL TOGETHER MINDSET
There is not a single senior leader who works on improving collective capabilities in the organisation and the team they're charged with.
These people are here for themselves only. I doubt anyone them envision seeing themselves here more longer than 3 years. This is their stepping stone on to something "better" and if you get in their way, the fury will reign down.
There have been many examples of what would be defined as workplace bullying by these people. HR do not take this seriously. Be careful raising this, it could be flipped where now you are seen as the problem.
