Isn't there a problem of perspective here? As a head of engineering you are hands on at getting entire projects and strategies done - which are not measured in

Isn't there a problem of perspective here? As a head of engineering you are hands on at getting entire projects and strategies done - which are not measured in single lines of code. You are not hands on at pushing a few lines of code. As you "move up the hierarchy" - for an antiquated phrase - your ambition and interest better track and you better be aware of what this scope of authority is about? You are "getting stuff done" - just not the same stuff. Revisit what the firm is about, and what actually is your responsibility in this. Your responsibility is not to push paper and run meetings - these are just some of your means. You also do get to take pride in what "your" people got built. That's not unfair just because you were not the one at that keyboard.