I can't identify the case you're talking about. Seems like the problem is trying to have a category (as in folder, as in old school email) rather than a label.

I can't identify the case you're talking about. Seems like the problem is trying to have a category (as in folder, as in old school email) rather than a label. "Technically capable", "contributor", and "technical contributor" all sound like ways to positively express "not looking for non-technical managers". The problem comes back around to "do not restrict people to the categories you assign to them". (Which is also a way to phrase many social justice issues and IMO where "being a cog in a machine" comes from).