The best leaders are great individual contributors, not professional managers (inc.com)

Article summary

The article discusses the idea that the best leaders are great individual contributors, not professional managers. It suggests that individuals who are highly skilled and knowledgeable in their field can make effective leaders. However, the article's content is not available, and the discussion is based on the comments. The comments imply that the article argues that great individual contributors can become great leaders, but the comments also highlight the importance of motivations and intentions behind becoming a manager.

Main themes

• leadership vs management
• individual contributors as leaders
• motivations for management
• effective management strategies
• power and authority in management
• technical expertise and leadership

What commenters say

• Great individual contributors can make effective leaders because they have deep technical knowledge and expertise.
• The worst managers are those who want to manage for personal gain or prestige, rather than to contribute to the team or organization.
• Some individuals become managers because they want to fix problems or improve the team, rather than for personal ambition.
• Being a great individual contributor does not necessarily mean someone will be a good manager, and leadership and management are distinct skills.
• The desire to manage can be driven by a desire for power, authority, or financial gain, which can lead to poor management.
• Great managers can come from individual contributors who take on the role to ensure effectiveness, but ego and motivation are important factors to consider.
• The Peter Principle, where individuals are promoted to their level of incompetence, can lead to poor management.
• Effective managers can protect their teams from external pressures and politics, and prioritize the team's needs over personal interests.