It seems like more and more people keep leaving SAS on their own because they’re fed up with how we operate. At some point the executive leadership needs to ask why and really do something about it.
We keep promoting the same types of people into leadership and letting managers sit in the same roles forever. Then everyone acts surprised when smart, talented people get tired of waiting around for a real opportunity and leave.
There’s only so many times you can tell someone they’re doing great work, they’re a “high performer,” or they’re valued while passing them over for growth opportunities. Eventually people figure out the career path here is basically a dead end unless you fit whatever mold leadership is looking for.
The really talented people have options. They’re not going to wait 5-10 years hoping somebody above them finally moves on or decides they’re worthy of a shot. The blind spots in this place are real.
SAS is going to keep losing good people until we figure that out.