The Ex-Manager

Today I told my boss that I no longer want to be the software engineering manager.

In the past we have had our discussions about my technical orientation and my lack of desire to be a "manager". The request didn't come as a complete surprise. Today I made it clear that my disenchantment with the managing director's philosophy made it impossible for me to remain in the chain of command. Over the last few years the MD's leadership has turned my work-place into enough material for 10 years of Scott Adams' Dilbert comics. (Well, maybe I exaggerate a teensy bit there.)

My boss offered to present my decision to the MD as a technical career decision, rather than expose me to risk by talking about my opposition to his leadership. I felt I owe it to the people I work with to make some statement. (If the MD had shown any ability to listen and understand his people I wouldn't need to say anything to make it clear. But then, if he'd been able to listen I probably would have stayed a technically oriented but reluctant manager.)

I'll trust my boss to couch my decision in terms that convey the message gently but firmly. Despite the irrational decisions the MD has made in the past, I don't think he's going to fly off the handle and shout "If he disagrees with my management style he can go find a job elsewhere!" I'm reasonably sure he won't.

My title will become Principal Software Engineer. I'll report to whoever is the new software engineering manager. Each of the likely internal candidates for this position have my utmost respect, so there's no trauma expected on that account. The change will take some time, since they (see how easily I can refer to the management as "they") need to decide who should take my place. If they decide to advertise externally it could take a month or two. In the meantime, I have a new outlook on my job. I feel liberated.