[codefreakxff]

I’ve switched back to IC. But my tendency to manage things has pushed me into a hybrid tech lead role that feels like a blend of IC and management. But the things I’m managing are cost savings, migrations, rearchitecting… so I’m very happy with this role. I don’t know what the jobs and roles are where you are, but I’m at a young company that is still growing and have been able to forge my own path. If you can use your management connections, find a technical area that is lacking and that you have the unique technical skills to solve, that could lead to some exciting work.

I’d worry that working on just any other team that you don’t feel passionate about would make you start questioning the move

But. Careers are not just about maximum growth. It sounds like you need to take some time to take your foot off the gas. Switching to an IC role could let you focus on what YOU want to do for a while and then pick something new when the time comes