Pays well but toxic work culture - Sales Org Motive Employee Review

2.0
Jun 25, 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Motive offers strong branding, great products, excellent benefits (Kaiser, 401K, FTO), and competitive pay

Cons

You will work extremely hard for every dollar you earn. The culture, unfortunately, leans toxic and robotic. Aside from a few incredible individuals, most interactions lack warmth or personality. The prevailing mindset is: “Get it done at all costs.” A constant sense of urgency and pressure fuels a fight-or-flight environment, and voicing concerns often leads to gaslighting or being made to feel as if you’re the problem. I’ve spent over a decade in this industry and have worked with some of the top companies—never have I encountered such a consistently disorganized, reactive, and chaotic approach to operations. Leadership seems to prioritize quantity over quality, both in account strategy and hiring decisions. There is a strong preference for SaaS-only talent, often lacking industry knowledge or the humility to learn from those who have it. They say culture starts at the top, and I believe that’s evident here. I’ve personally heard stories of team members being publicly berated or humiliated by senior leaders. In these situations, HR typically aligns with leadership rather than supporting the employee. During my time at Motive, I developed serious health issues that have since resolved after moving on to a healthier work environment. I also witnessed many talented, passionate people burn out or quietly exit. Recognition is scarce and even then, only if you're willing to sacrifice any semblance of work-life balance. If you’re extremely driven, thrive under pressure, and are laser-focused on numbers with little concern for balance or well-being—Motive may be a fit. But for those who value a collaborative, respectful, and sustainable workplace culture, I’d advise caution.

Explore other reviews about Motive

5.0
Jun 28, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great company and product. Shoaib is a great CEO

Cons

Hype and noise valued too highly

4.0
Jul 10, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

The people are the strongest part of the company. I’ve worked with talented, supportive teammates across product, sales, marketing, and design who genuinely care about solving difficult problems for customers. The mission is meaningful, and there are opportunities to work on products that have real-world impact. The pace is fast, which can be exciting if you enjoy building quickly and wearing multiple hats. There is also plenty of room to grow and take on responsibility if you’re proactive.

Cons

The company has grown quickly, and it sometimes feels like the organization hasn’t fully caught up. Priorities shift frequently, which can make long-term planning difficult and leave teams feeling reactive instead of strategic. Workloads can be heavy, and sustained urgency has led to burnout in parts of the organization. Communication between leadership and teams could be more consistent, especially around the reasoning behind major decisions and organizational changes.

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