Being an engineer is just that - an engineer. It's different from being a leader. Being a "10x" engineer just makes you a better engineer, it doesn't mean you're any more capable of making a decision that would generate a company $100 million in yearly revenue. Just different skill set. Steve Jobs wasn't a great engineer, but he was a great product visionary and marketer.
> Being an engineer is just that - an engineer. It's different from being a leader.
I disagree. In fact, the third or fourth stage of your promotion will often be a leadership position (junior, senior, principal/tech lead). If you're okay with being a "senior engineer" until you're 45, you're going to be in for a rough time when you get inevitably laid off.
I stand by my take. A good engineer is not guaranteed to be a good lead. And a bad engineer isn't guaranteed to be a bad lead. They are different roles.
Most competent companies let good engineers who won't be good leads stay in IC roles with bigger responsibilities.
