The problem is that in these top tech companies you can actually advance because you're good. Yes that means "climbing over others", and of course, it's rather

The problem is that in these top tech companies you can actually advance because you're good. Yes that means "climbing over others", and of course, it's rather likely that you are not in fact the best. The alternative is, put kindly, nepotism, put badly Machiavellian political games. You climb up by marrying the spoiled brat daughter of some senior exec and keeping her happy. I've worked in the middle east, where nearly all companies are government controlled (not "directly" but through family ties) and the whole society falls into the "non-toxic" category according to this article. Nobody will be working 1 minute longer than they strictly have to (except the personal servants - God help those guys). There is absolutely nothing whatsoever you can do to advance (other than the spoiled brat marrying thing). Everyone who doesn't report to you is against you in every social relation you have and people are constantly laying traps for each other, just to gain a leg up in meetings where the higher ups are present. Truly simple projects get denied necessary firewall access just so the security boss could tell your manager that you're over time. You learn to avoid HR and only ever ask them to "make a contract for THIS guy", because if you ask them to find someone only family members will be allowed to interview. Things like that. Given the choices, I think I'll be taking the "TOXIC" company, thank you. A lot of people tell me I'll change my mind when I turn 50 or so (used to be 40 but that's getting close and (I like to think) I'm still very sure I want to be in the competitive environment.