The timing on this reversal is right. The calculus shifted when Staff/Principal tracks got real leverage - not the symbolic kind, but actual autonomy over technical direction and compensation that finally reflects it.

What I'd add: AI is making this worse for EMs and better for ICs simultaneously. A Staff engineer with good AI tooling now has the reach of a small team. That leverage is portable - it goes with you. An EM's leverage lives in the org chart. The moment you leave, it's gone.

The 'only go EM if you intrinsically want it' framing is exactly right. But I'd add a sharper test: if your reason is any variation of 'I want more impact,' stop. ICs with strong technical judgment + AI tooling have more leverage per hour than most middle managers today. The impact argument for management is getting weaker, not stronger.