[quote] Out of curiosity, how many people do you manage? <...>
And, if you aren't willing to manage, in most cases you will hit a ceiling in compensation and status. And I'm not sure that's ideal. What makes managing other resources more valuable than being a star resource? [/quote] I manage 5 other IxDs, and have approved headcount for at least one more this year. The vision for our department is to continue incremental growth until we're about 15 strong, after which I think we'll just manage attrition. I probably spend about 50% of my time executing design, 30% of my time researching the discipline (filling the vacant principle role), and 20% doing explicit management tasks. I think there is a lot of implicit management, mentoring, etc. in what I do and how I do it, but I don't think that's what you were asking. I think that as the group grows to that 15-person strength, the ratio will shift to 40/20/40. I don't foresee ever dipping below 40% time with my feet on the ground...I just love what I do too much to get away from it. That might harm my chances of becoming a CEO, but honestly, my chances weren't very good to begin with. Regarding the second comment...design is far from unique in this regard. You can't become an Admiral if you aren't willing to command other sailors. If you want to make the big bucks on the football field, be the quarterback, the guy who makes the decisions when the play is in motion, the guy who touches the ball every play. I don't fault the system for capping the rewards to one-dimensional people, no matter how brilliant they are at that one thing. Additive ability should command a higher salary and title. Now, I don't think that substituting a manager for a designer should result in a higher reward. Hopefully that trend is in its death throes...I've been there, and it's usually been a recipe for dissatisfaction. I like the idea of a meritocracy...if you add more value to the company, you get more moolah. Humbly, I think I do. Dante Dante Murphy | Director of Information Architecture | D I G I T A S H E A L T H 229 South 18th Street, 2nd Floor | Rittenhouse Square | Philadelphia, PA 19103 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] | www.digitashealth.com ________________________________________________________________ Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ....... [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe ................ http://gamma.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines ............ http://gamma.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .................. http://gamma.ixda.org/help
