@itshannahzhang: management used to be the ultimate status symbol but the smartest career move in 2026 is going lower status and higher income the receipts: - the cto of workday left to join anthropic as a member of technical staff - the cto of instagram and the ceo of super.com both went from running orgs to being individual contributors - middle management roles have dropped 40% at meta, block, and coinbase since 2022 - coinbase laid off 14% this month to cut "pure managers" - companies keeping managers are asking them to be "player coaches" if you're playing the long game, build a craft you can take with you. a high paid IC role inside a top company gives you equity, salary, and a portable skill you can monetize later as a consultant or founder 📍save this for the next time someone tells you that you need to manage people to get ahead 🏷️ future of work, career advice, individual contributor, nonlinear careers, tech careers, building wealth, career strategy, high agency, AI era, AI jobs

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Thursday 14 May 2026 13:00:34 GMT