1. Severe lack of transparency across Engineering & Product
Decisions are made behind closed doors with little clarity on the reasoning. Critical context is withheld, and teams often learn about changes only after they are finalized. Worse, many decision-makers do not fully understand the existing technical foundation, leading to choices that create more problems than solutions.
2. Hard work and dedication are not appreciated
High performers who consistently deliver receive little recognition. Effort, ownership, and sacrifice go unnoticed, while politics matter more than actual contribution.
3. Major resignations at senior levels
Several senior managers have resigned or quietly exited, causing instability across teams.
4. Hands-on architects and impactful technical leaders are gone
The people who built the core systems, understood the architecture, and kept everything stable have already left or are in the process of leaving. This leaves a widening knowledge gap.
5. Experienced Product Managers and Leads have left
This has resulted in inconsistent priorities, unclear product direction, and reactive planning.
6. Long-serving, high-impact contributors mostly left
Meanwhile, individuals responsible for past messes or politics remain, which demoralizes the teams who stay.
7. Non-technical, political Engineering Management
Many EMs lack technical depth and rely heavily on politics and optics rather than engineering judgment. They struggle to make meaningful decisions and often ask very basic technical questions privately, while projecting confidence publicly.
8. ICs operate under fear and uncertainty
Layoffs feel unpredictable. Many individual contributors worry about job security and don’t know when their turn might come.
9. Employees are not respected
Feedback is ignored or dismissed. Performance assessments lack clarity, fairness, and transparency.
10. No feedback channels or psychological safety
There is no trustworthy mechanism for employees to raise issues or suggest improvements. Speaking up feels risky.
