I like this question as a broad approach to life and careers. They really are different skills sets. Trying to apply the paradigm to knowledge work is tricky.

I like this question as a broad approach to life and careers. They really are different skills sets. Trying to apply the paradigm to knowledge work is tricky. I'm an operator by title and trade. Best I can tell, someone can ride the operator title all the way up to exec levels. Unfortunately, as you rise in an org the high level Operator is really just a strategist managing other operators. "Is the benefit in money and status worth the tradeoff in fulfillment that comes from doing a job you’re brilliant at and love? It’s okay to recognize that you like carrying out orders more than formulating them. And it’s okay to value the chance to practice the things you’re really skilled at more than a bigger office. " It's a tension for me. I enjoy doing the work to keep a company up and running. But pay growth is tied to managing people and "multiplying impact". I understand many Engineering orgs have split IC/Manager tracks. I've never seen the same thing in Support, Business Operations, or Analyst type roles.