I’m surprised I did not see a discussion of whether such behavior can be considered unethical. In my own simplified view, there is a dishonesty in the behavior described. Building strategies in pursuit of self-interest rather than developing a product, helping people grow their skills, and, as someone in the comments mentioned, doing it all without saying it.. feels unethical to me. I personally find a lot of solace in the fact that unethical people live in fear of having their positions be compromised or attacked. Is the money trade-off worth it, this fearful, insecure life?