This cartoon nails it!
(cartoon credit: Kendra Allenby, The New Yorker)
It’s a common dilemma.
One that many of us face at some point in our careers.
After years of honing our (usually technical) skills, we’re presented with a crossroad: the only way up seems to be through management.
Suddenly, the thought of promotion becomes daunting rather than exciting. Management often demands skills that we haven’t developed—ones that no one has formally taught us.
For some people, the shift can feel like a trap: being pushed into a role that doesn’t necessarily align with what we love or are naturally good at. After all, excelling in your craft doesn’t mean you’ll automatically excel in managing others.
But here’s the good news: I reckon we’re at a turning point in how we approach leadership and management. The tools and resources to become an effective leader have never been more accessible. You don’t need to spend years in business school to develop the skills necessary for impactful leadership.
The barriers to becoming a great leader are lower than ever. There are online courses, books, podcasts, and workshops on almost every aspect of leadership you can think of. From emotional intelligence and conflict resolution to project management and strategic thinking, the knowledge is at your fingertips. And much of it is affordable or even free.
But there’s another part of this conversation that often goes overlooked. Management doesn’t have to mean giving up what you love. In fact, if done right, it can be a deeply fulfilling extension of the work that brings you joy.
Most managers are still ‘on the tools’ for a significant portion of their working week. And if you’ve found fulfilment in doing a certain kind of work yourself, it can be rewarding to help others succeed at the same thing.
The disciplines of management are skills that, like any other, can be developed and honed. And they can be just as satisfying as the technical skills you’ve spent years working on.
Management can offer something that individual contributor roles often don’t: the opportunity to drive meaningful impact on a broader scale. You’re no longer just responsible for your own work—you’re shaping the trajectory of an entire team or department. This can be incredibly fulfilling. You have the chance to influence not just what gets done, but how it gets done.
Of course, management isn’t for everyone. For some, hands-on work is their passion. And that’s okay. More than OK – the world needs leaders who impact the world through individual acts of courage or advancing their field of expertise.
But if you’re someone who’s feeling the pressure to move into management and unsure if it’s the right fit, know this: it’s not about losing what you love. It’s about reframing how you contribute. You’re still solving problems, driving results, and making a difference—just through a different lens.
If you’re curious about taking the next step in your leadership development, there’s no shortage of resources to support you on that journey. Whether you’re looking for structured courses, mentorship, or simply tips and tricks from those who’ve been there, you’ll find a wealth of information designed to help you grow into the leader you aspire to be.
We have a range of resources designed to help you on this journey. If you’re ready to take the next step in your leadership development, check out what we have to offer.
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