It's both an intensely rewarding experience -- you get to fix things that are broken and get a lot of creative license. Simultaneously, it's also intensely depressing, as you get to learn how the metaphorical sausage is made.
Unfortunately I think that "truth" is a tough nut to crack in political scenarios. Perception generally rules the day, and most of these teams that play that role are successful in acquiring the trappings of corporate power -- fast action on HR, access to the decision makers/purse stringers, and perks.
It doesn't last forever, because like in the Soviet system, these things depend on powerful patrons.