Why your boss doesn't seem to care about your tech career anymore
Tech middle managers are overseeing bigger teams and moving faster with AI, which can leave workers with less career coaching.
Tech managers are increasingly stretched thin due to the rapid pace of AI development and their own expanding roles within companies. This leaves less time for one-on-one career coaching with direct reports, as managers focus more on managing work outputs rather than employees' long-term development. The trend, known as the "Great Flattening," sees fewer managers overseeing larger teams, making career development less of a priority.
Former leaders in tech are now being hired as senior individual contributors to contribute their expertise without the managerial load. Companies are also reducing the ideal manager-to-employee ratio to accommodate AI's administrative capabilities. However, some forward-thinking companies, like Spellbook, still prioritize regular career reviews and in-the-trenches feedback to maintain developer engagement and prepare the next generation of leaders.
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