[byoung2]

I'm like you, in that I started in management (center manager at Kaplan Test Prep) and then became an engineer. After 7 years programming my opportunity to become a manager again came at a small startup when the CTO left. I was already lead engineer so I made a case to the founders that it would ease the transition if I were promoted instead of bringing in someone from the outside.

The transition for the company was smooth but for me it sucked. More meetings, less coding, more BS. I spent so much time writing status reports and making spreadsheets. Management was so dysfunctional that they spent more time focusing on micromanaging teams than growing the business.

Overall it was worth it to get the bigger salary and title on my resume, but I never want to deal with that again.

[cblock811]

Sounds like it was less than ideal. I feel pretty good about my prospects where I work now. We have a great culture and are growing. Hopefully if I get into leadership here I wont have such an unpleasant experience. Thanks for sharing.