Pluspunten
In 2022, I wrote one of the 5 star reviews of Buildkite that appear here. Back then, we were just about to embark on the transition from 2 x long term Co-CEOs to a sole CEO in Keith Pitt. The organisation was in good shape, we had great potential, a really engaged team, we cared about our people and the investment dollars were coming in. I loved my job. Fast forward 2 years and the place is an absolute train wreck. The only pro I can point out now are the few good people left who (a) have not been fired, or (b) have not left due to being bullied, and/or are enjoying special status as a CEO favourite or Captain's Pick.
Minpunten
THE CEO. If you agree that the role of a Leader is to build, manage and lead thriving teams, to inspire and motivate others to be the best they can be and to deal effectively with conflict, recognising that the leader themselves does not have all the answers and invites healthy debates around conflicting viewpoints to determine the best way forward; then this is NOT the organisation for you. In all aspects of leadership - Setting Direction, Developing and Coaching, Building Trust, Leading with Empathy, Managing Conflict, Inspiring & Motivating and Self Awareness - Keith Pitt fails dismally. He employs bullying tactics behind closed doors whilst outwardly playing the role of a magnanimous and cool tech bro. He broke many really good people (some of whom have yet to recover fully) in my time with the organisation and made others clean up his dirty work. In the end, I was disgusted by his behaviour and could not understand (and still can not understand) how the Board can allow this behaviour to continue. The CEO's entire leadership team has departed or been demoted within the 12 month period to the end of 2024 and the organisation has seen a turnover rate across 2024 of close to 30%. Its really telling evidence that there is something very very wrong at Buildkite and its not getting fixed with all the people departing who are identified as the problem. Buildkite is one of those organisations that congratulates itself on having a great culture and living by its values, but from mine and many others' experiences over the past 2 years, it is now an organisation that is a shadow of its former self and is somewhere I recommend you AVOID AT ALL COSTS until something is done about the way people are treated by leadership.