The process started off smooth — well-structured interviews with recruiters and early team members who were professional and respectful. But everything shifted in the final-stage culture interview. The two senior leaders I met came across as authoritative and dismissive, with condescending body language that completely clashed with the company's messaging about humility and openness. What’s more concerning is that these red flags were also echoed in how the company presents itself online. Most of the content about culture on their website is written by management, not employees — which already suggests a top-down narrative rather than a lived, team-wide experience. Even their “culture quotes,” like describing non-vegan/gluten-free preferences as exceptions rather than norms, signal that diversity and openness only apply if you align with their specific worldview. By the end of the interview, I knew that even if I had received an offer, I would’ve turned it down. The leadership style and values being modeled didn’t align with the inclusive and humble culture they claim to have — it felt more like a demand for compliance dressed up as kindness. They presented themselves as “nice” on the surface, but their attitude and non-verbal cues told a different story — eye rolls, head shakes, and a patronizing tone that suggested they weren't interested in real dialogue, just compliance. It felt more like they were evaluating obedience than fit. It was clear they expect candidates to conform to their worldview rather than genuinely embrace diversity of thought. By the end of the conversation, I knew this was not a culture I’d feel respected in — regardless of whether they made an offer.