I've been in a role like this for many years in a small company. I doubt it would really work in a rigid FAANG environment with formalities like levels and per

I've been in a role like this for many years in a small company. I doubt it would really work in a rigid FAANG environment with formalities like levels and performance reviews and all that - it would get too political and competitive. Other managers will always try to change your mind on this. When layoffs come around, they usually are more likely to get laid off and their tech skills are now stale and they have to rely on their 'network' to get another management job if they're lucky. Not a position I want to put myself in.