A bit of a different angle on this. A companies may value folks in non-management roles who: * Do what they are asked to * Don't cause problems * Solve thei

A bit of a different angle on this. A companies may value folks in non-management roles who: * Do what they are asked to * Don't cause problems * Solve their own problems * Make the boss look good? Note that being right on technical matters may not be on this list! Sometimes the hero's would be great managers - but if they are not manager's, all that good energy may be wasted or a negative from a companies view. I've had this (unfortunate) experience and learned from it! I really did have the capacity to do all this great stuff. But not in that position. Some quick suggestions. * Provide feedback if asked, but get on with things if its not adopted (don't make business personal if you can help it) * Make some of your own suggestions in areas the boss isn't addressing. That can look a lot like good initiative. * If you have options take them, don't hang around too long! * If you don't have good options outside of your current position - check to see if you are overestimating your skill etc. * Ask yourself - will my pattern of behavior, ignoring the specific technical details, result in others (managers / co-workers) interested in working for me? * If you want to fight the product fights / set direction - become a manager! You generally can do this by a) getting some cert / education somewhere AND b) switching jobs OR telling your boss you'd like to become a manager and get them to describe the pathway needed - then check if the timeline they share + 1 year is reasonable. If you become a manager make sure you can efficiently write memos and can write reasonably well. If that doesn't work and you are really great - start consulting or start your own shop.