I think this is true, but I wonder if there's also a problem with supply versus demand: we can't just replace all the professional managers (PMs) with great individual contributors (GICs) because there are a lot of the former and not enough of the latter to fill all the roles. So, the most desirable workplaces can maybe attract all the GICs to fill out middle management, whereas the less desirable workplaces have to stick with PMs because GICs won't work for them.
In theory GICs could work their way into management organically in any organization, but it would require both that they be willing to take on a management role and that the organization is able to recognize who the GICs are.
(There are also some GICs who just shouldn't be managers because they're unusually bad at dealing with people. They're probably the minority, but they exist.)
In theory GICs could work their way into management organically in any organization, but it would require both that they be willing to take on a management role and that the organization is able to recognize who the GICs are.
(There are also some GICs who just shouldn't be managers because they're unusually bad at dealing with people. They're probably the minority, but they exist.)