Manager Regret

Would it surprise you to know that many people regret becoming managers? Or maybe your first instinct is, of course, it’s exhausting.

There are countless reasons people regret the move into management, but it often comes down to personality fit. Sometimes, the regret stems from the sheer amount of stress that comes with the title. Other times, it’s the loss of the hands-on work that once felt satisfying.

Managing others brings its own kind of pressure, especially when you’re responsible for a large team with clashing personalities. While leadership can offer perks like autonomy and higher pay, the shift from doing the work to overseeing the work can feel overwhelming.

And if your natural style is to keep your head down and focus deeply on your own tasks, moving into a highly visible role can feel like a complete mismatch.

I’ve read countless pieces about introversion in leadership and while it’s true that introverts can make excellent leaders, the question I keep coming back to is, do most of them actually want to be?

I can’t speak for everyone, but I can tell you this, my move to leadership was one of the most stressful times of my career. The fear of failure kept me there far longer than I should’ve stayed. It took years to finally realize that no amount of autonomy or pay was worth the constant anxiety.

If you find yourself in a similar place, I encourage you to pause and ask, what actually makes me happy at work? If you were more fulfilled as an individual contributor, it might be time to move back in that direction.

Stepping down isn’t failure, it’s self-awareness. Sometimes, being honest about what fits you is the bravest move you can make.