Defining success based on your job title at some corporation, money, stock options, corporate jet etc. sounds like an absolutely miserable way to live.

I’ve had a technical VP role at a large financial institution. Sure the title was cool but I’m way happier and have way more personal time now as an IC (not even a tech lead) than I when I was there.

And as far as salary goes management is not always the better paying job. I make more now as an IC than I did then in management. And I’ve had several positions where I made more than most or all of the management in a company and had stock options, bonuses, expense accounts, etc. as well.

Anyone can become a manager it’s not that hard of a job. There really is very little barrier to entry. It’s really just boring politics and non stop meetings.