The main problem, which I believe is the root of all other problems at the company, is that the Owner/CEO is not equipped to run a company. He is dishonest, unethical, and is quick to take all credit for the company’s successes while targeting the management team (usually one individual at a time) for all shortcomings.
The /CEO uses performance reviews as a means to bully his current target. He will set impossible goals, revise goals from one meeting to the next, or simply come up with a new interpretation or caveat to your previously set goals and act surprised that you weren’t on the same page. Once that person is made miserable enough to quit, he finds his next victim. The result is a workplace that is extremely secretive, competitive, and unhealthy.
I believe the Owner/CEO’s need for taking credit for all success is why he picks one manager at a time to blame all problems on. Otherwise, he may have to look at his own leadership and decisions and make changes. If there is always a scapegoat then he can feel confident in his own leadership.
The last thing I would like to say is that the workplace environment is the most toxic I have ever experienced. I have spoken to many former and current employees who would agree. Having worked in the fashion industry for 8 years before Azazie, I am very used to high pace and high stress environments. But Azazie is a whole other animal. There are so many lies from the top down that the staff is left feeling very uneasy...who knows what and how did you find out? There are a lot of closed door meetings, whispers, and in the end I found myself doubting if any of it was real...if only it were all just a nightmare.