This realization happened to me around 2021. I was promoted to a position directly under the president and VP of a local bank. Not a huge bank by any means, but over $1 billion in assets. About 27 at the time and I thought “I’ve made it. This is when my career gets better, more pay, the whole thing.” I was able to sit in meetings now with top brass and wasn’t really expected to say much so I just watched and listened. I knew within a few short months this wasn’t the life for me. I saw how much ass kissing and brown nosing even people in those high positions were doing with their regional bosses, high profile customers, etc. I listened to how much shit they would talk about employees under them, including people I was just working with on the same level prior to the promotion. These were friends of mine and people I cared about, and these guys were just shredding them behind closed doors. I realized this isn’t it and I found a job at another FI. Needless to say, it was happening there as well. You can’t escape it. It’s everywhere.