I've set a reminder for myself to write a review three months after my departure from T-Mobile. This was to ensure the review is driven by careful reflection instead of haphazard emotions.
The best comparison I can draw to working at T-Mobile is a farmer who is yelling at their crops without helping them to grow. Since the merger with Sprint, a large pool of different perspectives and mindsets entered the leadership pool which in itself is not a bad thing. The issue is the kind of mindsets that were promoted, supported and normalized with the dawn of Mike Sievert.
Fast forward 5 years later, the most noticeable trait that sets the theme is narcissism, complacency and a complete lack of understanding and disregard for diversity & inclusion. Picture frames with quotes from John Legere still line the walls, telling us to listen to our employees and shut up. This could not be further removed from the culture observed in 2025.
Pair that with an antiquated view on working from home, constantly talking about "butts in the seat" and touting collaboration as an excuse for the absence of leadership. The reality was being forced to come to an office to then jump on Teams calls with the working teams.
As for the office setup itself, T-Mobile switched from classic cubes to collaboration spaces with little to no privacy. With everyone constantly being on calls, it's an environment that's inconducive to focus work or innovation. Pair that with the cold, fluorescent light you would expect at a dentist's office, and you get the picture. Constant distractions and noise pollution.
The classic dysfunctions of office politics are in full force, visible through people focusing on CYA and throwing others under the bus. Favoritism, blame culture and toxic managers set the tone for an environment where employees are asked to be innovators while micromanaging them to death. Raising the flag for the many resource and allocation bottlenecks will put the blame on you for "not managing your time well".
The departure of T-Mobile from Diversity & Inclusion accelerated over the years, leading to employees speaking up at All Hands meeting announcing that they will quit the company.
This is not a place where you can be yourself. This is not a place where talent is recognized and rewarded. This is not a place where neurodiverse people are supported. Instead, they get ridiculed and bullied out.
Do yourself a favor and ignore the shiny facade, the dishonesty of the SLT, you deserve better.
