The 10 Reasons You Shouldn’t Be a Manager

There’s a lot of pressure to climb the corporate ladder, to keep moving up, to take on leadership roles. But here’s the thing—management isn’t for everyone. And that’s okay. Before you jump into a role that might not be the right fit, let’s take a step back.

Ask yourself this: Do you truly want to be a manager, or do you feel like you should be one?

Because if you answer “yes” to four or more of the reasons below, you might want to reconsider that move.

The 10 Reasons You Shouldn’t Become a Manager

You shouldn’t become a manager if:

1️⃣ You don’t like working with people. Managing people is… well, managing people. If that sounds exhausting rather than exciting, this might not be the right path for you.

2️⃣ You don’t respect your colleagues. Great managers see potential in their team, even when things get tough. If you think most people around you are incompetent, leading them will be a struggle.

3️⃣ You avoid hard conversations. Management is full of difficult discussions—giving feedback, addressing performance issues, and making tough calls. If you tend to dodge those, leadership might not be for you.

4️⃣ You don’t want to learn or grow. Being a manager means constantly adapting, improving, and learning from mistakes. If that sounds like a burden rather than an opportunity, you might want to rethink it.

5️⃣ You don’t want to be successful for other people’s growth or success. A manager’s job isn’t just about their own wins—it’s about helping their team succeed. If that doesn’t excite you, you may not enjoy management.

6️⃣ You don’t want to have to communicate—people should just know what to do. If you assume your team should “just get it” without direction or feedback, you’ll likely struggle as a manager. Communication is key.

7️⃣ You see it as a necessary step in your career path, but really don’t want to do it. Climbing the corporate ladder just because is a recipe for burnout. If management doesn’t energize you, you don’t have to do it.

8️⃣ You’re only in it for the money. Yes, management often comes with a higher salary—but it also comes with more responsibility, stress, and pressure. If money is your only motivator, you’ll probably hate the job.

9️⃣ You don’t want to think big picture or have a strategy. Managers need to zoom out, see the bigger picture, and plan for the long-term. If you prefer focusing only on your own tasks, management might not be your thing.

🔟 You don’t like holding yourself or others accountable. If you struggle with self-discipline or avoid holding others to expectations, leading a team will be frustrating—for you and for them.

How Many Did You Check Off?

If you found yourself nodding to four or more of these, management might not be the best fit for you right now—and that’s completely okay.

But if leadership is something you’re genuinely curious about, there’s always room to grow. Maybe you just need to develop certain skills before stepping into that role.

So, what did your score look like? Drop it in the comments—I’d love to hear your thoughts! 🚀