Deeply Flawed Senior Leadership: The executive team lacks transparency, accountability, and emotional intelligence. Strategy changes come without explanation or consultation, morale-crushing reorganizations happen frequently, and internal communication often feels either performative or completely absent. Many senior leaders appear more focused on personal optics or image than internal trust or execution. Decision-making feels reactive, not strategic.
No Real Commitment to Diversity: Despite public statements, diversity is not a visible priority within the company. Leadership is homogenous, there are minimal programs or initiatives to support underrepresented groups, and diverse voices are often sidelined in key decisions. This is especially glaring in hiring and promotion processes, which lack transparency and inclusivity.
Culture of Feedback in Name Only: Navan frequently touts itself as a “feedback-driven culture,” but in practice, feedback is rarely delivered with clarity, consistency, or timeliness. Performance reviews are infrequent and lack substance, and managers are not trained or empowered to provide real coaching. This leaves employees without a clear path to grow or improve — leading to frustration and disengagement.
Severe Attrition and Burnout: Turnover is alarmingly high. Talented people are leaving every week, either voluntarily due to lack of growth/support, unrealistic expectations/goals, or involuntarily due to abrupt reorganizations. When employees leave, their responsibilities are often redistributed without formal re-alignment or support, leading to confusion and burnout among the remaining team.
Mind-Boggling Strategic Decisions: Some business decisions defy logic. Major shifts in focus or product strategy happen overnight with little to no input from those closest to customers or operations. Sales teams are left selling into unclear narratives, product teams chase inconsistent priorities, and go-to-market strategies seem more reactive to investor pressures than market reality. It can feel like the company is operating with short-term optics in mind rather than building toward long-term sustainability.
