[kodah]

> To be honest, the old people who are obviously fading might be an easier sell to bosses than the ones who are 50, 60, 70+ and still rock solid, because with them, you really have to wonder what went wrong that they're still in the running for subordinate positions. (I mean, there could be—often are—a million reasons why an excellent person's career might go sideways, but bosses aren't usually the forgiving type. They still want to believe the system works, because they are the system.)

Actually, you're engaging in the bias right now. I don't ever plan on getting out of IC/Engineering. Stop assuming that's something everyone wants to do.

[bestouff]

I did it already ("because of my expérience" it was presented to me as the natural way forward). Had to fire someone, lost my sleep for a few days because of that. Back to engineering roles which I enjoy much more anyway

[steelframe]

I've had to separate a couple of people from the company. In both cases they very quickly found another job, and on following up with them they were much happier doing something that looks quite different from what they were trying to do before.

The world is big, and the chances that you happen to be in the optimal role at the optimal company are vanishingly small. In my book, a category of management failure is letting someone doggedly clutch on to something that's hard on both themselves and those around them.

[kodah]

Sorry you had to deal with that, but I'm glad you're back in the pilots seat!