Surviving & Thriving: How Employees Can Protect Their Careers in a Leadership-Heavy, Integrity-Light Workplace
Nothing quite says “we have no real structure” like an organization where the leadership team is packed with VPs, Senior Directors, and “Executive Special Advisors”—but somehow, no one actually doing the work has a clear path forward. Add in a little questionable ethics, poor decision-making, and favoritism, and suddenly, showing up to work feels like competing in a reality show you never signed up for.
So, how does an employee fortify their position when leadership is bloated, ineffective, or morally flexible?
Master Your Role—And Then Some
In environments like this, competence is power. If you know your job inside and out (and maybe even your manager’s job, too), you create leverage. Become the go-to person people rely on—not because you have to but because you own your expertise. The more critical your skills, the harder it is for leadership to overlook your value.
Keep Receipts
When integrity is missing at the top, accountability disappears, and the blame game becomes the company’s favorite sport. Protect yourself by documenting everything—emails, meeting notes, project contributions. If decisions start getting shady, you'll have a clear record of what was said, when, and by whom.
Find Allies & Build Influence
No one thrives alone in dysfunctional leadership. Find people who share your values and professionalism—they could be colleagues, external mentors, or even clients. Having strong professional relationships inside and outside the company protects you from being isolated when leadership inevitably starts pointing fingers.
Know When to Hold ‘Em… and When to Fold ‘Em
At some point, you have to evaluate if staying is worth it. If leadership lacks integrity, upward mobility will always be conditional—who you know will matter more than what you do. If you see no clear growth path, leadership accountability, or ethical stability, it’s time to make an exit strategy.
The bottom line? When leadership isn’t leading, employees have two choices: strategically secure their value or strategically find the door. Either way, the key is to stay sharp, professional, and always ready for the next move.