A Leadership Model That Values Control Over Competence - Engineer The Motley Fool Employee Review

1.0
Feb 27, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

The benefits are generally good.

Cons

Based on my experience, I watched good people leave while poor performers stayed and were promoted. If you were competent and had other options, you didn’t last long because results mattered less than politics and loyalty. Leadership, especially the CEO, micromanaged everything. Decisions were centralized, egos mattered more than outcomes, and there was a clear “do it my way or leave” mindset. An inner circle (and we know who they are) was allowed to take credit, undermine others, and protect themselves. Public call-outs, constant second-guessing, and fake friendliness afterward became normal. This destroyed trust, made people afraid to speak up, and slowly lowered the quality of the work.

Explore other reviews about The Motley Fool

5.0
Aug 22, 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Generous benefits,Great benefits and the company really leans into being AI-first, which makes the work feel exciting and future focused. The mission of helping the world invest smarter is meaningful, and the people here are awesome, smart, kind, and fun to work with.

Cons

Priorities shift a lot, which can be frustrating at times, but it’s part of the startup style approach to keep moving forward. You often have to push to get decisions made, so persistence definitely helps.

3.0
May 18, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

- Remote work - Great people amongst the rank and file employees - Excellent benefits, and a supportive culture - The opportunity to be an independent voice on stocks. You can speak your mind on a stock, even if it conflicts with what other members of TMF say.

Cons

- Leadership set a goal in 2019 to reach $1 B in revenue. The company tried to achieve this by selling more and more subscriptions, without expanding the research team. Diligence declined. Eventually the stocks recommended did as well. TMF has never really recovered from the reputational loss. - Leaders are chosen based on loyalty, not competence. All leaders basically carry out Tom Gardner's orders, no matter how bizarre or destructive they are. Independent thinkers are gotten rid off.

2
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