My problem in the senior IC track at my company is that of how to influence people to get things done. Managers can very easily utilize resources, where the IC has to convince people and then also horse trade on priorities between managers who usually own a certain area and can’t really spare much help.
Strike teams seem to the most effective thing for ICs to lead, and having that be an explicit part of eng culture and the work processes is a prerequisite for that.
I've talked with many of my now manager peers and they seem to not understand that simply walking into a room with "manager" or "director" in your title gives you almost immediate clout (or something similar). Whereas if you enter a room as a "senior IC" there's just not as much authority inherent in your presence.
It's unfortunate, it's not right, but it seems to be true.
Strike teams seem to the most effective thing for ICs to lead, and having that be an explicit part of eng culture and the work processes is a prerequisite for that.