Favoritism and unequal treatment determined who advanced and who was overlooked.
Pros
Some colleagues demonstrated actual competence at their work.
Cons
• Senior staff controlled which people received high-profile assignments and advancement opportunities based on personal relationships rather than merit or performance • Colleagues outside the established inner circle were routinely overlooked for roles and projects while less experienced people with better connections moved ahead repeatedly • I brought relevant qualifications and took on difficult assignments, but my career progression stalled because I lacked the relationships that mattered for advancement • Career development conversations and advancement decisions happened without transparency or input from those being affected, determined entirely by people in charge • The organization made no effort to acknowledge the pattern of favoritism or implement systems that would ensure fair consideration for all employees