Looping back in from my other answer - looking at this, I think you probably know what you want to do, but are still trying to hedge a bet each way. I absolutel

Looping back in from my other answer - looking at this, I think you probably know what you want to do, but are still trying to hedge a bet each way. I absolutely empathize - I have been in this exact headspace quite recently. To answer some specifics, from my perspective > I'd love it if a more experienced manager could chime in here and speak to whether or not that really can be enough to power one through the endless meetings, excel reports and politics given time. Yes, of course. Some find meaning and purpose in that and enjoy it. However, I think you do not, not truly. And this is probably why you are keeping a leg in the tech side - especially based on your paragraphs around this one. My suggestion is talk - out loud - to someone about this and resolve what you actually want to do with yourself. And then make a decision. Because being stuck between these two things will tear you up far more than making a potentially "non-optimal" decision (whatever that actually means). As to me - I chose option 3, working for myself as a consultant. I realised that while I love the people aspect, I have some distaste for various aspect of traditionally corporate life. Now I can just swan in, talk game at high and low levels and leave when I need to. Works for me. Might not work for you. This is an intensely personal junction you are at and only you can know the correct answer.