Teams fail from the top
Any person that has long enough work experience have noticed that good management is the exception rather than the norm. Here’s a possible reason for this:
At work, measuring true competence can be a challenging endeavor. In the case of bakers or coders, assessing their aptitude is a straightforward process; one can simply taste their cake or examine their code. However, for roles that primarily involve interacting with people, gauging competency is far from simple. In such cases, where the outputs are not explicitly measurable, managers tend to depend on inputs such as the perceived progress made on a project, the level of confidence displayed in meetings, and the ability to self-promote. Consequently, it's not uncommon for individuals who are not necessarily the most competent to ascend the ranks or obtain high-profile assignments, even in organizations that tout meritocracy. While actual competency still holds weight, it's worth noting that perceived competency can be just as critical.
There are those who relish playing this game of politics, and the rewards for those who win can be substantial. On the other hand, there are individuals who would prefer to steer clear of these machinations and work independently. I suspect that's why people gravitate towards freelancing? (Though, it's important to note that freelancing carries its own challenges, such as the potential for loneliness and a lack of visibility into the bigger picture since you may only be focusing on one piece of a larger puzzle.)