The closer people live to the consequences of their decisions the more rational they become. Until leaders(and I use that term loosely) are held accountable, the insanity will continue.
I’m sorry you are used to working with out of touch leadership. Not all companies are like that. Even big ones can have smart, empathetic leaders. Although very often money gets in the way of empathy.
Their only accountability is to the stock price. The insanity will continue.