Siloed information and poor cross-training. If a team member was out, projects often stalled. The team was frequently understaffed, and offers to help or cross-train were discouraged—creating unnecessary bottlenecks and dependencies.
Lack of accountability and transparency. When delays occurred due to upstream issues, blame was sometimes pushed onto those downstream. Thorough documentation became the only reliable way to protect yourself.
Gatekeeping and withholding information. Instances of gatekeeping were reported, but not meaningfully addressed by leadership. This behavior made collaboration difficult and created a culture of distrust.
Unspoken pressure to skip breaks. Many employees felt the need to work through lunch or breaks just to keep up, leading to a culture of burnout disguised as commitment.
Top-down communication. Strategic decisions were often made without input from those responsible for implementation. Feedback loops were limited or nonexistent.
Limited professional development. While leadership voiced support for employee growth, there was little follow-through. Opportunities to expand skillsets or take on new challenges were minimal, and recognition for initiative was rare.