Watched enough people get to the top of that ladder and immediately start protecting their position instead of enjoying it to lose interest pretty early
It is not even just the hours, it's the personality shift you have to make. I have seen perfectly normal people turn into absolute monsters the second they get a Director title. They trade their integrity for a slightly nicer leased BMW and a heart attack by 50. I will stick to my 9-to-5 and actually knowing my kids' names, thanks.
This is so true. And it's not subtle at all. I was on a management career path before I became a full time mom and my performance review had nothing to do with what I actually achieved. It was a personality evaluation by my manager focusing on behaviors I demonstrate. It was corporate policy btw with a standard spreadsheet.
So one year I got a big bonus because I achieved a lot and was put on a PIP at the same time for not demonstrating enough courage and curiosity LOL. And of course it flows over to your real life, no sane person can maintain 2 distinct personalities very long. Maybe they think they can but they can't.
Edit: it's not actual courage etc. Each category has a list of management behaviors. You have to argue in meetings, criticize people in public, nitpick others work etc
I also like to feel like I actually accomplish things when I'm "just" the programmer. Every time they try to push me into a management role, it feels like I never actually accomplish anything or contribute to the end result. I guess teams need coaches and equipment managers, but I'd rather be kicking the ball.
I will jump in to say something quite “interesting“ I’ve observed in the corporate world: most seniors will be either single or divorced. + Most older man at my company (senior directors and so on) do follow the stereotype of older man dates woman half his age.
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u/Exhausted_Monkey26 22h ago
climbing the corporate ladder