It really isn't that hard to manage distributed teams at all. I would say it is easier, because it forces you to be more systematic about how you measure productivity and hold your team accountable to commitments. It makes collaborative work (anything that would involve a whiteboard) a bit harder.
However, as a manager, it is very hard to advance to director or higher levels. Having the full day of face time with mid/executive level is a big advantage. And it is hard to hire and introduces some difficult comp/HR challenges.
Bringing it back to this topic, I think it makes a lot of sense as an IC or line manager to move to a 2nd or 3rd tier tech community for the quality of life balance.
However, as a manager, it is very hard to advance to director or higher levels. Having the full day of face time with mid/executive level is a big advantage. And it is hard to hire and introduces some difficult comp/HR challenges.
Bringing it back to this topic, I think it makes a lot of sense as an IC or line manager to move to a 2nd or 3rd tier tech community for the quality of life balance.