As an Engineering Manager vs. team lead or Principal Engineer, the main difference is your #7 (growth and performance). That's the thing I list as #1 in terms o

As an Engineering Manager vs. team lead or Principal Engineer, the main difference is your #7 (growth and performance). That's the thing I list as #1 in terms of what an Engineering Manager does. You'll play a big role in all of the others as you progress in seniority, but if you don't love the growth and planning, it's hard to success as a Manager. Related, you're also the one that has to make the hard decision when it's time to part ways with someone who's not working out.