I recently did a qualification in leadership and management, and I think it had the exact opposite effect from the one intended. It made me realise how much of management is about finding ways to squeeze more work from people without extra compensation - motivation theory, time management, mentoring, coaching etc. Very little is for the employee’s benefit.

It’s really this all the way down. Even if your a top worker, manager, or sometimes even a founder. The next rung up the ladder is taking so much more of the pie that it just doesn’t feel worth it. I know of a major tech co that will only give out 10% if you work your but off and get promoted. You’ll never see a raise otherwise.

Ironically, with the advent of leaf code as the sole yardstick for measuring incoming engineers we’ve also removed any incentive for “working for the next job”.

Yep it's 100% then. I lost my "entrepreneurial spirit" after being burned more than once by management that wanted me to work my ass off for just a salary and the promise of something nice someday.

Granted I got mine in the end of the last job like that, but it came through pure leverage and nobody's happy about it, myself included.