Trying to reduce stress as just had a baby
Is being a manager vs IC more or less stressful?
25
antiASKHOLE
Tycoon
8
Bravado's Resident Asshole
First, congrats on having the baby! My wife and I are expecting our 3rd and finally getting a girl. It honestly depends on you. Are you smooth with keeping a full pipeline and consistently selling? Or do you thrive with lists and keeping people motivated?
It really does come down to your personality and stress thresholds.
It really does come down to your personality and stress thresholds.
Saleskiller
Valued Contributor
1
Account Executive
Thank you. Good advice.
poweredbycaffeine
WR Lieutenant
5
☕️
I have a 4.5 month old at home, so congrats! Stress is relative. Closing in this economy is very difficult….but managing humans who are having a hard time closing due to budget is also extremely stressful.
You have asked about SFDC and Sprinklr. You’re now asking about management. You seem to be questioning a lot, and so did I when we were expecting. I left a leadership role at a small company and joined a MM company in a greenfield role that would ramp slowly and turn into a team. It took about 7 months to find the role but I needed to know I could get back to leading a team but also phase my effort as I ramped up.
The right role is our there, you just have to be patient.
You have asked about SFDC and Sprinklr. You’re now asking about management. You seem to be questioning a lot, and so did I when we were expecting. I left a leadership role at a small company and joined a MM company in a greenfield role that would ramp slowly and turn into a team. It took about 7 months to find the role but I needed to know I could get back to leading a team but also phase my effort as I ramped up.
The right role is our there, you just have to be patient.
Sunbunny31
Politicker
2
Sr Sales Executive 🐰
Congratulations on your little one. I think I must have missed the birth announcement. :)
Saleskiller
Valued Contributor
1
Account Executive
Appreciate this thoughtful post. Yes, considering a career change. Feel tapped out in my current role and there’s an opportunity for a promotion. I’m also looking externally at those two companies.
saaskicker
Celebrated Contributor
1
Enterprise AE
poweredbycaffeine
WR Lieutenant
2
☕️
When I say greenfield about my role I mean it’s new to the company, and it’s not even in sales per say. However, if you’re looking to reduce energy output at work then pick the one with shorter cycles and bigger internal support.
TennisandSales
Politicker
4
Head Of Sales
IC = less stressful for SURE.
when you are a manager you have to deal with much more bull shit.
you have to deal with managing your reps, their deals, their pipeline, and then deal with leadership who is wanting to know what will close and what wont and why you cant get more to commit.
not saying being a manager is a bad gig but its for sure more stressful. you dont have complete control over your time anymore.
when you are a manager you have to deal with much more bull shit.
you have to deal with managing your reps, their deals, their pipeline, and then deal with leadership who is wanting to know what will close and what wont and why you cant get more to commit.
not saying being a manager is a bad gig but its for sure more stressful. you dont have complete control over your time anymore.
Saleskiller
Valued Contributor
1
Account Executive
Very solid and concise answer. I had thought the money would be more “stable” and I wouldn’t have the same performance stress that I have as an IC but it seems like that’s a misconception I have
TennisandSales
Politicker
2
Head Of Sales
comp might be more stable for sure. but i think over all you will have LESS to worry about as an IC.
RandyLahey
Politicker
2
Account Executive
Congrats on the newborn! At the risk of sounding like a pure noob, can you define IC? Cheers,
punishedlad
Tycoon
2
Business Development Team Lead
I'm also going to need clarification here lol
Saleskiller
Valued Contributor
2
Account Executive
Sorry. Individual contributor/salesperson
DungeonsNDemos
Big Shot
1
Rolling 20's all day
Now he has to manage that baby!
DungeonsNDemos
Big Shot
2
Rolling 20's all day
Congrats!
Are you currently in a spot that you can choose either? IC is generally less stressful.
Are you currently in a spot that you can choose either? IC is generally less stressful.
Saleskiller
Valued Contributor
0
Account Executive
Yes I’m an IC now. I just feel like my account is tapped out and the only open position internally is a management role
Mendizo
Opinionated
2
Sr. Director
I would have to say being a good manager is a lot more stressful than an IC.
As an IC, sure, you are responsible for your patch, and you will be judged on the results.
However, as a manager, you are responsible for everyone's patch. This is where I make a distinction of a good manager. There's plenty of managers who try to get by without truly leading/mentoring the team, and instead just pointing fingers and finding excuses. That job is probably not that stressful :)
However, a good manager carries the personal responsibility for getting their entire team above attainment, and leads from the front. This means we have to model to our team, building credibility and getting our hands dirty, with each and every team member. At the same time, we have to demonstrate to our leadership that we have the macro view, and can be strategic with our territories and our people.
Also, it's worth considering that if you are a good seller, you likely have a much higher probability of making a lot of money (over attainment) as an IC than as a manager. As a manager, you are dealing with the law of averages.
As an IC, sure, you are responsible for your patch, and you will be judged on the results.
However, as a manager, you are responsible for everyone's patch. This is where I make a distinction of a good manager. There's plenty of managers who try to get by without truly leading/mentoring the team, and instead just pointing fingers and finding excuses. That job is probably not that stressful :)
However, a good manager carries the personal responsibility for getting their entire team above attainment, and leads from the front. This means we have to model to our team, building credibility and getting our hands dirty, with each and every team member. At the same time, we have to demonstrate to our leadership that we have the macro view, and can be strategic with our territories and our people.
Also, it's worth considering that if you are a good seller, you likely have a much higher probability of making a lot of money (over attainment) as an IC than as a manager. As a manager, you are dealing with the law of averages.
Gasty
Notable Contributor
2
War Room Community Manager
Hats off to the post!! Says a lot in as less words as possible.All valid points are here in the comments. I'll add one more.
Managing requires a lot of "Parental Energy". Especially if your subordinates are salespeople.
I don't have the stats here but I'm sure sales might be one of the top professions which requires conflict resolution, quite frequently.
If I were you, I'd pick IC hands-down and reserve that parental energy for the newborn.
btw, congratulations!!!
Managing requires a lot of "Parental Energy". Especially if your subordinates are salespeople.
I don't have the stats here but I'm sure sales might be one of the top professions which requires conflict resolution, quite frequently.
If I were you, I'd pick IC hands-down and reserve that parental energy for the newborn.
btw, congratulations!!!
ChumpChange
Politicker
2
Channel Manager
I made the transition from IC to SM. Sales Manager is way more stressful. Like 5X more stressful.
YinYang
Contributor
0
VP of Sales
Yeah it's not easy, especially right now! Out of curiosity, what are your biggest challenges as a first-time sales manager, that surprised you?
ChumpChange
Politicker
0
Channel Manager
Internal resourcing and expectations. There's a definite disconnect that other teams don't grasp because they're only focused on the output number without ever considering the input (work/effort) needed to hit that number.
YinYang
Contributor
-1
VP of Sales
Yep, that's a common one I hear (I'm a leadership development coach specialising in helping new managers, AND still a sales leader myself). You're not alone! Wanna jump on a call to talk out some techniques?
Maximas
Tycoon
1
Senior Sales Executive
I would say that the IC is less stressful, but it still depends on the number of tasks you're handling daily and remember the more the passion you have towards something the less the stress you will gain from it!
poweredbycaffeine
WR Lieutenant
1
☕️
Have you managed a team? Genuine question.
Saleskiller
Valued Contributor
1
Account Executive
No I haven’t
poweredbycaffeine
WR Lieutenant
1
☕️
Was asking Max, but good to know. You will have to ask yourself if you want to be and are meant to be a manager. It’s not like being an IC and may leave you feeling like you left the roles you were meant to be in.
Kosta_Konfucius
Politicker
1
Sales Rep
I would assume IC but not a manager
HVACexpert
Politicker
1
sales engineer
Congrats!
Sunbunny31
Politicker
1
Sr Sales Executive 🐰
First off, huge congratulations!
Second, I’ve managed, and found IC to be by far less stressful and more flexible when dealing with a very young family. If management is your passion, perhaps that’s something to pursue once you’ve found your next landing spot - you are clearly considering a move.
I do recall you felt tapped out at the company you are currently at, but enjoy it. I’d think the very least stressful thing would be to move to MM in your current company so you’re not changing everything all at once - but that’s my opinion only, and I don’t think your interest in finding something better is a bad idea at all.
Second, I’ve managed, and found IC to be by far less stressful and more flexible when dealing with a very young family. If management is your passion, perhaps that’s something to pursue once you’ve found your next landing spot - you are clearly considering a move.
I do recall you felt tapped out at the company you are currently at, but enjoy it. I’d think the very least stressful thing would be to move to MM in your current company so you’re not changing everything all at once - but that’s my opinion only, and I don’t think your interest in finding something better is a bad idea at all.
braintank
Politicker
1
Enterprise Account Executive
IC for sure -- and congrats!
Justatitle
Big Shot
1
Account Executive
IC is less stressful, You only have your number to worry about and you somewhat control it. As a manager you have 6-12 numbers to worry about and you have almost no control over it.
GDO
Politicker
0
BDM
Depends on the organisation. I would love to be a manager in my current org. But both have 0 stress here :D
CuriousFox
WR Officer
0
🦊
CONGRATULATIONS!
Your life is now a giant stress ball 🧶
Your life is now a giant stress ball 🧶
hola
Valued Contributor
0
sales consultant
I think it’s both stressful just depends what u prefer. As a manager you do less grunt work but u deal with more BS and have to make sure ur team is on it. As IC u have less power and say, but only worry about you, but also doing the grunt work
depends on what u prefer and do better
depends on what u prefer and do better
YinYang
Contributor
0
VP of Sales
Speaking from personal experience: Manager is way more stressful, for this reason: you give up all control & yet 5-10X your quota
Coffeesforclosers
Notable Contributor
0
Director Sales and Market Development
More, you are still responsible for a number, sadly it is up to someone else to get you to it vs yourself. God forbid you jump in and close if for them, they get 6-8% of the sale and you get 1-4%. IC for life......kidding im management have been for a decade, hate it lol
Supersize
Personal Narrative
0
Digital Sales Director
Go IC. After 20 years in management, job was eliminated after company was sold. Hired at a start up at age 62. four years later and I’m making more money than my entire career and having more fun. But had to relocate my guts. Front line is scarier in some ways but easier in others. As a manager, you are tying shoes and wiping noses. And you should now only want to be doing that for your kids.
Saleskiller
Valued Contributor
0
Account Executive
Wow. Great answer and advice
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