I think there are status plays, and there are quality plays. Which is which depends on the culture. The motivation is completely different - one is parasitic a

I think there are status plays, and there are quality plays. Which is which depends on the culture. The motivation is completely different - one is parasitic and narcissistic, one is constructive - but they can look and feel very similar, especially to those on the receiving end. I strongly suspect orgs tend towards a status culture unless carefully steered towards quality. I haven't worked out what the full secret is, but it may have something to do with strongly valuing and respecting skills and input outside of reviews, so specific criticisms aren't experienced as part of a consistent pattern of devaluation.