It’s also a problem with compensation. Many companies take an incredibly stupid and paternalistic attitude that employees should be happy with 3% - 5% raises, n

It’s also a problem with compensation. Many companies take an incredibly stupid and paternalistic attitude that employees should be happy with 3% - 5% raises, no bonuses, and refresher equity way less than their original grant. Anyone actually talented just leaves after 2-4 years, so you get zero cohesion or snowballing effect of talented tech leaders who other good people actually want to work with. These places become total career death. Eventually it becomes a place where only people with kids or other significant life obligation go, specifically because they value no-ambition bureaucracy that trades off compensation and risk taking in exchange for work life balance. Those places are so soul crushing. Avoid at all costs.