This is where I separate "manager" from "leader". As a principal level IC, I'm part of "engineering leadership" along with the senior managers, but not a manage

This is where I separate "manager" from "leader". As a principal level IC, I'm part of "engineering leadership" along with the senior managers, but not a manager. The work isn't that different to management, sure, but it is different. You're not doing performance reviews... but if someone is over performing you can help get them promoted and if you think someone is doing really badly you can help get them fired.