IC vs Manager: What Drew Me to Each Path
Which path draws you in?
I've switched from IC-to-Manager 3 times and Manager-to-IC twice.
Maybe you've made the pivot before or you're at the IC-vs-Manager crossroads right now. If neither, it's likely you'll confront this decision at some point in your career.
The wrong decision sets you up for disappointment and frustration.
It's better to understand what each path requires of you and pay attention to which path draws you in. Whatever feels most natural at the time will be that path that's right for you right now.
The IC Path (individual contributor)
The IC Path is all about you.
The work you do, the projects you complete, and the impact you make. You can choose to get as deep in the tech as you want and your career will probably be better for it. You're the one building solutions from scratch and getting dedicated time to make progress.
Most critically, you're evaluated for your personal performance, which means you have less responsibility. If other people are slipping up, it's not your problem. You can succeed at the same time others are failing.
This is liberating because you are in full control of one thing: you.
The Manager Path
The Manager Path is all about the team.
The work the team does, the projects the team completes, the impact the team makes. The mindset shifts from the individual to the collective.
You will fail if you remain attached to your personal success because you're measured by the success of your team and how you scale your impact. Instead of solving technical problems you solve people problems.
How can you help people provide value while helping them advance their career? How can you unblock team members so they can do their best work? How can you create high standards so the team produces high quality work?
These are the types of questions you need to ask and solve as a manager.
So which path resonates with you naturally?
While reading each description, which one drew you in? Which one aligns with your innate strengths?
You don't need to analyze it too much, you already know which path is right for you right now.
Take the leap.