A manager might brag about their length of time with a company, even if the company is widely regarded as a "*h#$%^+!," for several reasons:
Job Security and Experience Signaling: Long tenure can be seen as a sign of stability and deep institutional knowledge. The manager may want to highlight their experience and familiarity with the company’s culture, processes, and clients, which can be valuable even in a dysfunctional environment
- They might use tenure to assert their indispensability or justify their position despite the company's problems.
Lack of Better Options or Stagnation: Sometimes employees stay long in a poor company because they feel stuck due to outdated skills, niche expertise, or lack of opportunities elsewhere. In such cases, bragging about tenure might be a way to frame their situation positively, as something to be proud of rather than a sign of being trapped
Cultural or Psychological Reasons: Managers may feel pride in surviving and navigating a challenging workplace. Bragging about tenure could be a defensive or morale-boosting tactic to maintain respect or authority within the team, especially if the company has high turnover or low morale.
Management Dynamics: In some dysfunctional companies, managers might cling to tenure as a credential because other measures of effectiveness are lacking. They may also use tenure to shield themselves from criticism or to justify their leadership role despite poor outcomes