I suspect the gatekeeping orgs collude and orchestrate the hiring of 'leaders'[1]. The sacred duty of the gatekeeping orgs is to preserve the gatekeeping org. These people are extremely well connected throughout the company. In fact, the only thing they are known for is for their connections. You might have used their services in your org, if something needed to be escalated in another org.
[1] Reminds me of Bene Gesserit(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bene_Gesserit) who install the 'leaders' they want. Except the gatekeepers have no greater mission other than keeping the gatekeeping orgs.
Reminds me of why I left the Civil Service after 18 years. The volume of stupidity seems to increase exponentially, the higher you climb through the ranks.
[1] Reminds me of Bene Gesserit(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bene_Gesserit) who install the 'leaders' they want. Except the gatekeepers have no greater mission other than keeping the gatekeeping orgs.