The higher up you go in most careers, the more likely it is you’ll become a manager. But plenty of workers want to keep doing what they’re best at, and not get involved in the messy admin and politics of overseeing other people. Martin Wolf is a leading economics commentator at the FT. He hasn’t formally managed anyone in 35 years – and doesn't’ regret it. What can we learn from Martin’s success?

Producer Mischa Frankl-Duval speaks to Martin to hear his story. Later, host Isabel Berwick chats to Karl Edge, KPMG UK’s Chief People Officer, to find out how career progression works at the company.

Want more? Free links:

Why being a manager matters more than ever

Stop making fun of managers

The UK’s productivity problem: the curse of the ‘accidental manager

Presented by Isabel Berwick, produced by Mischa Frankl-Duval, mixed by Simon Panayi. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Cheryl Brumley is the FT’s head of audio.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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