Certain leaders who came from subpar tech companies like Computer Associates, yahoo are super egomaniacs, non-technical, toxic, backstabbers who actively pursue political agendas to build their own empires and milk the company at any cost. If you come from outside their network, you're at mercy of their whim. Needless to say HR does what these leaders want them to do. You really need to become "yes boos" to them to survive. Focus on delivering results and impact is not valued. There is a lot of backstabbing and undermining all the time if you're in a leadership role. Politics is rampant. At leadership levels, it's a revolving door. For example, these are all the leaders either let go or left due to politics in past 6-9 months and counting - CIO, CISO, CHRO, CDO, CMO, VP Engineering, Senior Director QA, Senior Director Sustaining Engineering, Senior Director Cloud Security, Senior Director Engineering - Enterprise Security, Director Compliance, Senior Manager Compliance, Director Infrastructure, Senior Director of Engineering & Sustaining. There are many more in the process. New management and HR wants to keep removing 10% staff every year and many employees who are not in the inner circle of certain leaders get on the list inspite of solid performance. There is no "meritocracy" at all. Blatant favoritism is rampant. If you're certain gender, you'll get unfair advantage. There are some leaders who are thriving on "manage by fear" attitude. Stay away from QA, Security, Infrastructure and Performance teams. Some pockets of Software Development teams are good though. Really hit or miss depending on the team and the leader. Finance is also another team to stay away from. If you're in a leadership role, stay away. If you're in IC role, it's really hit or miss.