Pros
Over the years, I’ve learned a lot here—about my craft, leadership, and resilience. Many department directors are strong leaders and genuinely kind people who care about their teams. The experience gave me exposure to high-level projects and challenges that helped me grow professionally.
Cons
Unfortunately, the tone set by the C-suite often trickles down in damaging ways. When demands from the top become unrealistic or erratic, even the best directors go into self-preservation mode, and that energy filters straight to the team. It can create a toxic, fear-driven environment where employees feel unsupported and expendable. The culture lacks consistent recognition or appreciation. Hard work, long hours, and personal growth often go unnoticed unless you're in the inner circle. Once upper management loses trust—whether fairly or not—it becomes nearly impossible to regain it. Raises and advancement stall, and it can start to feel like you're being pushed out rather than developed further.