Comment by andsoitis

> I grow as an engineer when I learn new stuff or become better at building things. Becoming a manager is changing jobs, not growth in any meaningful way.

That's a very linear outlook. One can also grow be expanding the base of skills one has, and that often comes by shifted to adjacent jobs where you can capitalize on your first skill. There's some benefit in engineers who want to grow by transitioning to manager: nobody wants a non-engineer as your manager/leader - how would they understand your work or attract fantastic talent?

Now, don't get me wrong: I'm not saying for an engineer to grow one has to become a manager, but it is a legitimate strategy.