I agree that it's definitely nuanced. However, I have also seen many cases of people "failing upwards". They basically do a mediocre job at their current compan

I agree that it's definitely nuanced. However, I have also seen many cases of people "failing upwards". They basically do a mediocre job at their current company with middling performance ratings, such that there is no way they would get a promotion (for obv reasons), then jump to another company at L+1, rinse and repeat, until they plateau after 2-3 promotions. It's good for them personally, but terrible for the industry, as these people with actually very mediocre experience and ability are now leads.