Totally agree with you, most of the time founders are not aware this is happening down the ladder. I have seen this scenario with the middle layer management protecting their jobs and gate keeping in most companies today.
And then you would have the truly exceptional people, that manage to combine the ruthless drive needed to grow a successful company, care about their people and have the capabilities to keep those bad actors out, or at least in check. I saw maybe 1.5 of these people in management functions, middle management that is. Not sure of those black swan unicorns exist as founders so.