Leadership, particularly homegrown, quasi leaders at the Sr. Director level have been a problem for a long time. It is still shocking that there are people at that level with no experience, particularly of technology, and of the industry they support. It is most shocking when you come in from the outside to see how these "leaders" have to lean on costly consultants for the most basic of tasks that their staff should be doing. If you are a consultant though, you'll ride the gravy train for as long as possible. These leaders tend to be very insecure and surround themselves with people who are just as clueless.
I can see why Walmart has made statements about HO not being a talent area. It's very insulting to the hard working people there, but is fault of the executives that encouraged the problem in the first place by putting individuals in leadership roles that either did not have the temperament and/or experience to lead and develop staff.
Posted by @Q1ezYWo-1ycy.