Microsoft

With 20 years at MS, I get 5 weeks vacation a year.

Politics. People do not interview for internal position openings like lead; they are given away based on who the dev manager 'likes' or how long a person has worked on a specific team. I would think they would consider multiple candidates and choose the best qualified, but they don't, not for internal team openings.

Start using your people in the capacity they are capable of working. Find ways to distribute opportunities, rather than giving all the opportunities for growth to the select few who the dev manager happens to 'like' or favor.

Give your employees the review they deserve. If there is no money in the budget for bonuses, say so, but do not try to convince your developers that they didn't get a bonus because they are not good at their job.