Corporate Failures Often Punish Wrong People

mittermayr· August 24, 2026 View original

Key takeaways

  • Corporate failures can disproportionately affect high-performing employees.
  • Accountability for strategic missteps is not always applied fairly.
  • Understanding organizational politics is crucial for career longevity.
  • Building external networks and transferable skills offers career resilience.

Who benefits

AllConsultingHuman ResourcesLeadership Development

Summary

The author questions why corporate failures frequently result in the dismissal of high-performing employees while those responsible for strategic missteps often remain unaffected. This observation stems from a personal account of a dedicated manager being laid off due to budget cuts caused by higher-level mismanagement.

The post highlights a common frustration within large corporations: the perceived injustice of who bears the consequences of organizational failures. The author recounts a personal experience where a highly valued and long-serving manager was laid off due to budget cuts, which were reportedly a direct result of poor strategic decisions made by a senior leader. This situation prompts a broader philosophical inquiry into why individuals seemingly responsible for significant corporate missteps often retain their positions, while dedicated, high-performing employees are disproportionately affected by the fallout. The author suggests this pattern is not isolated, reflecting a systemic issue in how accountability is assigned and managed within major companies.

Why it matters

This discussion is crucial for professionals to understand the dynamics of corporate accountability, career risk, and the importance of navigating organizational politics, even when performing well.

How to implement this in your domain

  1. 1Develop a strong professional network outside your immediate team and company.
  2. 2Maintain an updated resume and portfolio, even when securely employed.
  3. 3Cultivate skills that are transferable across different roles and industries.
  4. 4Understand company politics and identify key decision-makers and influencers.
  5. 5Advocate for transparent performance metrics and accountability structures within your organization.

Original post by mittermayr

"My partner was let go after 15 years working tirelessly for one of the big five. She's probably the most resilient, rewarded and liked person that has survived and fought through this part of the business in the past decade, and while I am clearly biased, all her colleagues…"

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