I was involved in a state department funded project. It was all around human rights and security, so it had some real virtue, but on the other hand, people in t

I was involved in a state department funded project. It was all around human rights and security, so it had some real virtue, but on the other hand, people in that sector are frequently nasty; apologetically rude well past the point of being 'bluntly honest,' very full of themselves around their 'mission,' even when other approaches, like outright commercial ones, work better, and in this case tiresomely sexist and ultimately being and fulfilling a hierarchical top-down world (not surprising given the funding source and eventual status in the buddy network) while making all kinds of noise about being a progressive organization. After a few years working on the project I'd put in some good ideas that led to $1M+ in funding (mostly grants) and lifted the company from hand to mouth to a real thing. And in general I really helped to shape the organization in positive ways. Unfortunately the person with the direct connection to funding really didn't understand development, wanted me to be something I wasn't, and really had poor people skills as evidenced by the trail of people he'd burned over time. So early this year things got so heated that I left. I've been around for a while and from experience might have left without burning bridges, but while I wasn't rude, I made it very clear that I didn't appreciate what was happening. Eight months later it still bothers me, because I should have seen it coming, and because I wasn't able to change it, nor did I find a way to turn it to my advantage.