Most PMMs make the IC-versus-management decision based on what the promotion structure in front of them suggests, not on a clear-eyed view of what each path actually involves at senior level. Management is often framed as the natural next step, but it is a fundamentally different job, with a different set of skills, rewards, and frustrations. This fireside is a frank conversation about both paths: what the IC track genuinely looks like when you are senior on it, what leadership really demands once you are in it, and how to make the decision based on who you actually are rather than what is easiest to say yes to. Key learnings: - What the IC career path in PMM actually looks like at senior level -- the scope, the ceiling, and the real credibility it carries - The honest trade-offs of moving into people management from a practitioner background - How to evaluate which path is right for you before the decision gets made for you