They are different skillsets, but they aren't mutually exclusive. I work in a company which has dual career paths - technical and people management. At the bo

They are different skillsets, but they aren't mutually exclusive. I work in a company which has dual career paths - technical and people management. At the bottom of the career ladder, you have OK programmers with OK people skills. This is the minimum you need to work effectively within a large team. Over time you improve both areas, but specialise in one. We end up with managers with technical backgrounds (which helps a lot in that they understand us and we respect them), and architects who know how to manage a team.