Big picture socially and politically, no. Although you do get a rough sense of the power structure pretty quickly. But in terms of the work you’re doing, the amount of influence you have depends on the quality of the organization. If leadership takes suggestions from golf buddies you have a problem, but all ideas are being considered this is a non-issue. You won’t get invited to the boss’s house parties, but your designs / architecture can get implemented if the org knows what it’s doing.
I think your perspective is different because you're probably more senior than I am. I feel like I benefit a lot from listening to the more senior development on my team and by listening to my boss reason about the decisions he's making.
If you're very confident in yourself and your work though this probably is less of a problem.
This is true. I have noticed the non-senior folks struggling a bit, especially the ones who need help and guidance in their day to day work. The been-there-done-that people who already have family and social commitments outside of work have it a little easier.
