Pros
I gained valuable lessons that I will carry with me throughout my career: - I learned just how cold and cultureless businesses can be - I witnessed that actions speak much louder than PowerPoint presentations - I discovered that some companies prioritize event aesthetics over basic employee decency - I realized the relief that comes from no longer working in such a toxic, catty environment
Cons
Some key leaders: - Were power-malnourished, (not to be confused with power-hungry) - Consistently prioritized client happiness over company morale (free lunches were a mask) - Enforced policies even if they didn’t adhere to the simplest ones - Acted above being questioned or understood, especially by those lower on the org chart - Disregarded performance reviews, sometimes until the day they drastically shifted roles & responsibilities - giving employees zero time to improve. - Practiced favoritism, addressing sensitivities for some while overlooking the presence of others - Took full-week vacations without notice, leaving employees to fend for themselves…then failed to acknowledge the effects - Insisted on being the main point of contact, even if unreachable. - Micromanaged at random, then disappeared when support was needed; and somehow employees were the ones who gave the poor performance - Discouraged initiative; questions were often responded with “you’re overthinking it.” - In the rare times feedback was provided, it was often dismissive, vague and unconstructive - Gossiped at inappropriate levels, once making a baseless yet damaging accusation toward an employee, over a deliverable not meeting expectations - Extended efforts only to the level of “due diligence,” doing what looked good on paper - Provided lengthy training, which often proved inapplicable in real-world situations - Lacked a clear vision, were closed off to recommendations, then were blameful of the shortcomings. On occasion, they’d present a confident vision far from reality, and again blamed others if not executed properly.