As a manager, I feel like I can do any tasks my team can do. I usually chip in on non-critical path items or if someone is out, I can "pinch hit" and keep things moving along. I'm typically in planning, status and 1:1 meetings so there isn't a lot of focus time available for me but if needed in crunch time, I'm fully capable to take on critical path work and ditch the meetings.

I have general anxiety about moving up beyond this current role because I have a hard time understanding what those levels contribute. Any person that can do basic math can plan a budget, extra digits don't make it more complicated and typically someone is setting a goal/total for you anyhow. If most of those roles is dealing with internal politics, there are probably ways to avoid some of that work.

I have seen other companies (including one of my previous employers) done this kind of things, either forcing the managers to go back to IC or remove them totally.

Non-paywall link: https://archive.is/20250409230019/https://www.businessinside...