It's a toxic environment, no amount of money or promotion is worth if for those who can find meaningful employment elsewhere.
So many things are broken beyond repair, the culture is toxic and will likely take several decades to change. I was a HiPo who walked away and here's why:
-
Grossly underpaid for the amount of time and mental energy I gave the company. Yes base salaries are good but once you take into account unpaid overtime, it's mediocre at best.
-
Too many layers of management with their love of presentation decks and useless reports. Completely redundant in this age.
-
Uninspiring leaders. So scripted even in in internal townhalls. It felt like working for a cult.
-
Lack of training and development compared to my global peers in other industries / countries.
-
Lack of integrity from the leaders.
-
Corrupt ranking system that is hijacked by bullying 'sponsors'.
-
Extremely low life expectancy post retirement due to a life of misery and stress. Look around you at IOL: how many genuinely fulfilled people do you know?
Some HiPos leave because they have transferable skills. It comes down to personal choice but I didn't want to wake up in my 50s, divorced and regretting the hours spent with people who didn't matter.
I am grateful I experienced it, when you come out, one word reasonates: CULT!
Be brave enough to go experience something else. The idea of having a single employer for an entire lifetime is truly sad.