My fear of what this department might become has been mitigated somewhat.

Some background: We had a meeting, two weeks ago, with the 'uberboss' regarding problems in the department. This came about because my close friend, C. found a job for higher pay, because things were getting bad. She tendered her resignation to him, and he panicked. he knew that his pet project would fail without her (she is the best business analyst it's been my privelege to work with in my career). He counter-offered with a raise and a promotion, and she turned him down - saying that it was what was happening to the team that concerned her. She decided to stay, but only if he could fix the problems (not a big risk on her part, she had amazing offers in a week after she put herself on the market, and she has a lot of money available on the side).

During the meeting, EVERY ONE of us spoke up about how the new development manager was screwing things up. He said he'd try and fix them. After meeting with the 'guilty parties', the development manager actually asked whether he should resign. The uberboss said 'no' and he'd try to resolve problems. He thought the issue was social.

During the next week, the guy stopped insulting everyone to their faces, and things were somewhat better - though he was still trying to micromanage and bypass QA procedures. Things were largely the same. Also, my old boss was neglecting the 'uberboss's pet project.

The team's reponse? Indignant. We had a follow-up meeting where everybody reiterated the problems. The 'uberboss' was shocked. He had been told everything was now OK by the 'guilty parties'. The uberboss was actually shocked by the unanimity - I think HE may 'get' that the team is real, and that it makes a difference. I'm pretty sure the credibility of the 'guilty parties' is now in the toilet. I'm pretty sure that changes WILL be made.

The team ALSO went around the the PM's (deliberate, IMO) sabotage of the uberboss's pet project - because they see value in it. We are going live this weekend after massive 'extracurricular' effort to get it done.

Further, both the development manager and the old boss took vacation rather than help get this into place. They now have NO credibility. I'm not sure that one of them will even be employed after this week.

The reason I'm being braver than usual and commiting? I'm important to this team. The team was the deciding factor to me moving here; it's a rare thing to have a team worth the name 'team' and I can't leave them now - they need me. They've proved to me that the team here is stronger than any individual. I'm proud to be a member. Most of all, I'm proud of C. - had she left, everything would have fallen apart - and she had incentive to leave.

It's all very 'touchy-feely'; I'm not used to that. For the first time in years, though, I feel it's worth the risk. Environment is important.