In one's 20s, promotions are a key motivator and a quantifiable measure of success. As seniority increases, the thrill diminishes, replaced by the anxiety of meeting ever-higher expectations and the fear of not being capable of performing in the new role.
Early in his career, the speaker was intensely focused on his next promotion. His growth accelerated when he shifted his mindset to doing interesting, impactful work. Promotions then became a natural byproduct of his contributions rather than the primary goal.
Progressing past the IC6 level isn't about coding faster or on bigger projects. The role fundamentally changes to focus on team direction, product strategy, and influencing other organizations. This shift away from direct technical work can be unappealing to many engineers.
In a small company, a generalist who can code, negotiate contracts, and talk to the press is invaluable. In a large corporation, roles become highly specialized, and a generalist may struggle to find a place where their broad skill set is fully utilized.
At the IC7+ level, there's a constant feeling of scrutiny—an "Eye of Sauron"—where you feel the company is questioning if it's getting its money's worth. This intense pressure to meet high expectations can lead to burnout and a desire to step back.
While rising through the ranks is thrilling and staying at the top is a mixed bag, stepping down is emotionally painful. It brings a wistful feeling when you see former peers surpass you, making you question if you could still perform at that higher level.
Achieving top levels quickly can lead to a long career plateau with no clear "next step." Titrating promotions—extending the "game" over a full career—might provide a more sustained sense of progress and fulfillment, though it's at odds with youthful ambition.
Many ambitious people focus intensely on a goal, like reaching a certain level or financial number, without considering what comes next. Achieving the goal can lead to a crisis of purpose if you haven't defined what will motivate you the "day after."
A key benefit of a job is the built-in social structure. When you leave work, you lose that automatic interaction. It's surprisingly difficult to schedule social time with former colleagues because they are still busy with their own jobs, leading to potential isolation.