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The split decision: IC or manager?
- The decision to pursue an individual contributor (IC) or management career path is one faced by many designers who have reached the level of Senior Designer.
- Both paths require different skillsets and too often, those who make the move into management are ill-equipped to lead their teams.
- Designers don't have to become managers to move forward in their careers, opportunities exist for expert IC talent in companies who recognize its importance.
- Leadership skills are essential for both paths. Managers have the responsibility of teaching, equipping, and blocking for their team, protecting their output, as well as supporting their career development.
- Individual contributors (IC) make things, primarily with trained hands and minds. The level of IC is directly related to the complexity of the problems they solve, and their ability to influence others.
- The level of a manager is also related to the complexity of the problems they solve, but their leverage is the team they manage. Christopher Nguyen's tips for being a UX manager include not getting caught up in meetings and retaining focus.
- Both ICs and managers need to be leaders and have the ability to influence and impact those around them. Leadership is a skill to be developed.
- James C Hunter, in 'The Servant', identified two levers that a manager can use to get people to do what they want: power and authority. Leadership is the skill of getting people to work enthusiastically toward goals identified as being for the common good, using personal influence rather than authority and coercion.
- Anyone, in any position, can be a leader and make a big impact by increasing their ability to lead and influence others.
- The article lists resources, including The Servant by James C. Hunter, Leading with Craft, and How to Be a Better UX Manager.
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