Many people around me considered my move from Head of Engineering (Manager) at SN to an individual contributor (IC) role at Stripe a "step down". I don't think it's a step down at all.
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First of all: I know I will learn A TON at Stripe - no matter which role. This is by far my biggest deciding factor when changing positions / companies
Next, IC vs Manager are just roles. It doesn't matter to me as long as I can have meaningful impact on fun, challenging, interesting work.
If a manager is needed and I'm a fit: happy to step in. If there's a great manager already, I will be the best teammate I can be.
If a manager is needed and I'm a fit: happy to step in. If there's a great manager already, I will be the best teammate I can be.
Not having a leadership title is a "step down" for a lot of people. Sure, Head of <whatever> sounds more important but it's a status game. Others have to lose for you to win. It's zero sum. I try to stay away from those since a few years.
Compensation is another one. In many, many companies, leadership (titles) come with higher compensation. In many modern companies, IC can climb almost as high as a manager position. Sometimes even exactly the same.
If my compensation is above my living cost + enough to save & invest, I'm happy to take a little decrease if everything else is awesome. But then again: I don't think a pay cut is required when going from manager to IC.
It's really like a role change. What about going from a senior engineering role to a junior engineering role? I also think that's totally fine. I've seen coworkers or people in my teams that were considered senior in one company to be graded junior in others (and still earn more)
If you play the status game, the title change might hit you. But IMO you should think of this is as huge advantage. You start low (you can learn a lot), with a higher salary than before, while at the bottom of your new company.
=> So much growth ahead of you.
=> So much growth ahead of you.
Or you are your own startup CEO and after exiting you're a Senior Engineer at FAANG. Step down? I don't think so. Titles are cheap and context matters.
But that's a different topic.
But that's a different topic.
On the IC vs Manager front - I personally am happy to jump in between over the years. Whatever needs to get done. I love to be a maker but I also love to take the birds eye view and tackle larger scope of an org.
And finally, joining an awesome co is never a "step down".
And finally, joining an awesome co is never a "step down".
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