The bus factor has a lot to do with this imo. Every startup I have worked for lets middle managers hold a ton of information and power. Middle managers at companies with a high turnover rate tend not to trust engineers too much if at all, and startups usually have high turnover rates. This results in toxic relationships between engineers and managers. It's hard to get motivated at work when someone is -virtually or literally- looking over your shoulder all the time, second guessing everything you do, and delaying processes by withholding technical knowledge.
In some cases, this ultimately results in what I call the "empty desk syndrome". This is when you visit your new employer's offices, and most desks are empty because a wave of employees just left or was fired. The cycle repeats indefinitely, with you becoming part of the next wave.
In some cases, this ultimately results in what I call the "empty desk syndrome". This is when you visit your new employer's offices, and most desks are empty because a wave of employees just left or was fired. The cycle repeats indefinitely, with you becoming part of the next wave.