Pros
Some coworkers are hardworking, capable, and genuinely committed despite the environment.
Cons
Commitment and loyalty mean nothing to an egotistical CEO who takes no accountability for poor decision-making. Repeated hiring mistakes, unfavorable contract terms, and short-sighted leadership decisions have directly contributed to weak profitability. Instead of owning those outcomes, the burden is pushed onto staff.
There is a clear imbalance in how employees are valued. Some employees are overpaid while contributing the bare minimum, while others—particularly people of color—are consistently underpaid despite going above and beyond, often picking up the slack to keep projects and operations afloat.
The CEO is highly performative. He will charm you into believing you are indispensable and that he “can only count on you,” fostering a false sense of trust and loyalty. Once he has extracted all he can, layoffs are used as a cost-saving measure, regardless of individual contribution or commitment.
Externally, the image is polished: a great leader, influential leader, and active community figure. Internally, the reality is very different—mismanagement, favoritism, and a lack of accountability undermine morale and stability.