From my experience, I was lucky to have good managers that seemed ok during interview and even after I started working. What changed my situation for worse was

From my experience, I was lucky to have good managers that seemed ok during interview and even after I started working. What changed my situation for worse was new manager, either replacing my direct manager or being put above my direct manager due to merger,change-in-structure,etc. Then my situation took a dive. New managers usually don't like non-super-star employees already there when they are brought in from outside. They didn't hire you themselves. And they are under pressure to do better. So if you are an average worker, you have a big fat target on your back. All points on this thread were great. But you never know about life, what will happen tomorrow. So don't feel too secure or cocky when things are going well. And don't feel too down when everything seems to be going against you.