> then it's emotionally just as taxing whether you're an IC or a manager Speaking from experience, at least for me that's not true. For me the largest emotiona

> then it's emotionally just as taxing whether you're an IC or a manager Speaking from experience, at least for me that's not true. For me the largest emotional toll is knowing that I'm responsible for dealing with whatever is happening. Sure, I might wind up taking the exact same actions as an IC. But as an IC I don't *have* to. And that helps, even if just enough.