individual contributor vs manager

Certainly, the level of significance between managing and individually contributing has diminished over the years due to the increased importance of specialization. Book: The First 90 Days by Michael D. Watkins.Quote: Once your mindset changes, everything on the outside will change along with it. -Steve Maraboli, Life, the Truth, and Being FreeQuestion: Are you ready to be a manager? Learner. Individual contributors are now paid more for their technical skills and make as much as a manager. Probably lots of it. An individual contributor is a non-management professional contributing to an organization on its terms and assisting it in achieving its goals and mission. These organizations tend to get a jump on developing managerial skill in these high-potential individuals, training them before theyre promoted. This button displays the currently selected search type. Managers obviously have to be able to communicate the vision of a companys goals and show the benefit to everyone involved. However, don't let that deter you from considering this role. Some took the offer and became successful managers. Had it been earlier in my career -- say, 10 years ago -- I would have been offended. She knew that if she worked a few extra hours, she could likely match the output of all three of her direct reports. This does not bode well for you or your team when you become a leader. At first, this shift will seem very difficult. I loved being a manager. As a manager, you will be responsible for annual reviews which, depending on the number of workers you have, could be a large part of your job. Encouraging a commitment to life-long learning and development and a true respect for the difficulties inherent in each position, in my view, will only create healthier workplaces. When you become a leader, your definition of results needs to change.