Prior to leaving the company, I had positioned myself as both a subject matter expert in my area of focus as well as someone with good people management skills. Several decision-makers indicated that they were grooming me to be a leading candidate when they added another manager lead.
Nevertheless, I took the position that the company was still too top-heavy with management and that, at some point, that debt had to be repaid. Better to be knowledgeable about subject matter and be a foot soldier, especially in these times.
I also saw that my management team struggled to address toxic individuals on the team and take proactive measures to ensure that top performers keep performing and to ensure that there is a system to make the entire team stronger.
It looks as if that was a good call - the head of the CS has been replaced by the CTO. I’m inferring that the team is now ripe for another - you guessed it - reorganization!
I made the proactive choice to reorganize myself and terminate my employment with the company. I’m much happier now.