IBM

The people and their feelings about going all-out to help the customer.

I know folks (myself included) that have worked issues non-stop for 24+ hours to get systems back up and operational.

Executives typically stay in a position for two years and leave, not only within the STG organization. This makes them less accountable for long-term decisions they make. Many decisions are made for the short term, particularly to meet schedules, then executives move on, leaving the person who replaces them to deal with the consequences.

Listen. Listen to the experienced people. Walk the halls, talk to folks on their turf. Not only will you learn things firsthand, you will gain the respect of the workers.

If you take the initiative to meet the workers, they will think you care about what they have to say and will work harder to make the ideas you share with them successful.