Engineers fearing they'll lose future management chances or rust their technical skills are reassured: once you've managed, you become a prized senior engineer and will be tapped for leadership again, so keep your code fluency to safeguard career options.
Engineers often panic that leaving management means they'll never get another shot at leading people. The article argues that this anxiety is misplaced because the very act of managing rewires your instincts - you become better at prioritization, stakeholder communication, and conflict mediation, and those signals stick with you no matter where you work.
Senior engineers who have managed are described as "worth their weight in gold". Their experience infuses every technical decision, making them more attuned to business impact and more likely to be consulted for advice. That visibility means future leadership openings will find you, often without you having to chase them.
The scarcity of good engineering managers means the real challenge is preserving your hands-on chops. The author recommends staying a senior IC for at least seven years before taking a manager role, committing to at least two years in management to rewire instincts, and demanding paid time to refresh technical skills rather than hopping back after a long gap.
Maintaining engineering fluency is also a hedge against career uncertainty. Senior engineers can move quickly between jobs, while management roles are far fewer and more selective. By keeping your code skills sharp you retain optionality and job security, regardless of whether you stay on the ladder or step back to the well.
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