The following is simplified. Managers are people who enjoy being around groups of people more than they enjoy being around “things”. ICs tend to reserve more

The following is simplified. Managers are people who enjoy being around groups of people more than they enjoy being around “things”. ICs tend to reserve more time thinking and working alone and enjoy talks with individuals more than navigating group-dynamics. Enjoyment in groups leads to experience in group dynamics. Experience in group dynamics and having many relationships gets you more chances to climb up the salary ladder.