The company has lost its ways - they've gone from being a progressive, employer with an exciting future vision, culture and projects that were ahead of the curve to a place that seeks to push people out of the business through a variety of means - lay-offs, pay-offs, increase in office days. Those who can leave, do - usually top talent first. Many are looking because they don't feel listened to or worse, no longer feel safe or comfortable at this company.
Despite staff morale being at an all-time low, leadership doesn't seem to acknowledge that and is instead questioning the intent and performance of their own people openly, despite attempts from staff-side to mend relations and bring people together.
New strategy driven by founder returning to the CEO role seams tone-deaf to people's struggles, pushing a blanket return to office at all costs and brushing aside any struggles that come with it. The company is no longer people-focussed, as the new strategy is very clear about being "AI first". Not a strategy that makes the business stand out - the time to become AI-first was yesterday.
Leadership seems blind-sided by AI hype and unchecked echo chambering, closed off within a small leadership-silo that is inpenetrable by anyone not already in it. Changes and processes default to traditional approaches that worked in the past but are not fit for the work environment of today or tomorrow, which is exacerbated by immature senior leaders whose experience mostly comes from within one company.