What's Best: Individual Contributor or Manager?

Oct 14, 2023

∙ Paid

Here’s the question everyone has in mind:

Is it wise to stay in an Individual Contributor (IC) role for long?

Or should you move into a managerial position?

The IC's Dilemma

Many folks come across this vital career crossroads.

The natural career path and next step to IC would be management.

But is that the only route to success?

If you love hands-on, customer-facing work, remaining an IC has its merits:

Tech Expert: As an IC, you can become a technical expert, valued for your know-how.
Flexibility: You have more freedom in how you tackle your tasks.
Decent Money: Surprisingly, ICs can earn as much as, if not more than, managers, especially in roles rewarding high performance.
Stability: ICs might have better job security (although there is no such thing as job security! - see all the layoffs) since middle managers are the first to get the axe during tough times.
Personal Joy: If you genuinely enjoy customer interactions, staying an IC could be very fulfilling.

On the other side, management roles offer these exceptional benefits: …

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