@ctrlshifti I've worked at an employee-owned company and it was as dysfunctional as any other, maybe worse. I've also known a lot of career feds- more job security and good benefits, but also risk averse execs, no fun events, and lots of deadweight colleagues.
@ctrlshifti I've also worked at small businesses owned by my family, for private "family" companies, and for public companies, and had close friends who are independent consultants. Each has pros and cons, but imo the private fiefdoms run by a patrician family are the best for employees.