The very worst 3 major corporate decisions in T's very long history (actually among the worst 50 or so in total US corporate history), were made by just 1 individual (paid many, many , many millions each year and in retirement), supported by an exec team under him who is also paid many millions:
T Mobile botched bid with billions in fines/penalties, to bankroll a competitor and hit T earnings hard in the meantime (a rare double whammy, not easy to mess up that badly in any industry)
Direct TV (needs no commentary at all, massively painful billions in losses booked and yet to book)
Warner Media (jury still out on that in post Covid media world, but based on same individual who pulled the trigger on above, just employ basic probabilities based on his track record, it will be a miracle if history doesn't prove it as a rather lame purchase decision at a over inflated price, at best)
Millions of people over many, many decades built T to the world's largest telecom company. Among them were truly brilliant inventors, strategists, leaders, and incredibly hardworking "average Joe's".
But 1 single individual human being, disgustingly overpaid and pitifully skilled in any area of strategy or leadership, supported by about 15 "yes" people who also are horribly overpaid, has run this once proud ship directly into the rocks. It now is bashing against the rocks, taking on water, laden down with heavy debt (actually increased even last year), and no lifeboats to save the lower class workers trapped below decks here. Casualties are assured unfortunately, and many have already happened.
Think of T as standing for Titanic: driven full speed into not just 1 iceberg (T Mobile debacle), then directly into another while slightly damaged (Direct TV purchase), and as harmed greatly by that diret hit, followed by another glancing blow at Warner Media. Standing at the helm and directing every single turn, captain RS.
And you actually wonder what the average T staffer has against CEOs here? 1 person should have walked the plank 4 or more years ago, or at least gone down with the ship, but they will do neither.