Pros
The new leadership team at Motimatic is the strongest that the company has seen. These individuals have quickly redirected and turned around some of the messiest aspects of the company – no small feat. There's now more role definition, actual HR processes, increased communication and visibility, and a seemingly genuine desire to "do right" by their employees. They operate with integrity which cannot be said for their predecessors. The new CEO and the counterparts he's brought to the company from his previous roles are all extremely kind, professional, intelligent, and actually get things done – which is huge, because the product and services Motimatic offers are really unique and have proved to be a game changer for many partner schools. TL;DR: - New leadership is bringing a fresh vision and more stability - Positive cultural shifts are starting to take hold - Far more transparency and accountability than in the past
Cons
This is meant to serve as a cautionary tale about previous leadership at Motimatic. I've worked at all types of companies, and have never encountered anything like it – nor have I witnessed the massive employee turnover that I saw in 2+ years there. In 2024, the then CEO was replaced by his counterpart, who had been the lead for Product, Strategy, and Operations. This individual holds a PhD in behavioral science, which, while impressive, did not equip her to lead people or run a company. A previous manager described the (remote) workplace as a "psychologically unsafe environment," which speaks volumes. While there, I witnessed the then-interim CEO's ongoing pattern of disrespect and harassment, where growth and development were thwarted, favoritism ran rampant, and there was absolutely a culture of fear. SO many coworkers quit or were actively pushed out, and if you asked too many questions, suggested too many new ideas, or any number of things that rubbed her the wrong way, you immediately had a target on your back. While there, I was working with some of the smartest women I've ever met, and we were getting openly berated on calls. Every sign of toxicity existed: increasingly cautious employees, declining motivation, gaslighting – the list unfortunately goes on. "It's a startup" should never get be an excuse for bad behavior. This type of person should not be leading a company, with no accountability, and no one should have to work in these conditions. I'm fortunate to have had colleagues and friends who supported me in finding a way out. I'm eager to return to a reality where people are kind and respectful while doing good work. TL;DR: - Lingering effects of past poor leadership decisions - Morale still recovering from years of mismanagement - Processes and systems remain a work in progress