[Survey on the True Feelings of Engineers Who Became Managers] About 70% felt 'resistance' before the transition, while roughly 70% said they were 'glad' after taking the role; Over 40% saw a salary increase of 1 million yen or more

Kikkake Creation Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; President: Gato Kawashima) announced that it has conducted a survey on the true feelings of 218 IT engineers who have transitioned into management roles (section manager equivalent or higher). - 01 | About 70% of managers with IT engineering backgrounds answered they were 'glad' they became managers - 02 | 68.3% felt resistance before transitioning to management, with the top reason for anxiety being 'building human relations' at 56.4% - 03 | 43.2% saw their annual income increase by '1 million yen or more' by moving from IT engineer to management ## Survey Overview - Survey Name: Survey on the True Feelings of IT Engineers Who Became Managers - Survey Method: Internet survey planned by 'ResearCH P', a research marketing service provided by IDEATECH - Survey Period: October 29, 2025 to October 31, 2025 - Valid Responses: 218 individuals with experience transitioning from IT engineer to management (section manager equivalent or higher) *Note: Due to rounding to make the total 100%, some figures may have slight discrepancies from the actual calculated values. <> 1 Please clearly state the name 'Kikkake Agent' as the source of the information. 2 When using on a website, please provide the following link as the source. URL: https://kikkakeagent.co.jp/ ## About 70% felt 'resistance or anxiety' when transitioning from IT engineer to management When asked 'Q1. Did you feel any resistance or anxiety about becoming a manager before transitioning from an IT engineer?' (n=218), 22.5% answered 'Felt strong resistance or anxiety', and 45.8% answered 'Felt some resistance or anxiety'. - Felt strong resistance or anxiety: 22.5% - Felt some resistance or anxiety: 45.8% - Did not feel much resistance or anxiety: 18.8% - Felt no resistance or anxiety at all: 11.5% - Don't know/Cannot answer: 1.4% ## Anxiety about becoming a manager: 'Building human relations with subordinates and team members' tops the list at 56.4% When those who answered 'Felt strong resistance or anxiety' or 'Felt some resistance or anxiety' to Q1 were asked 'Q2. Please tell us the specific details of your resistance or anxiety about becoming a manager. (Choose up to 3)' (n=149), the responses were: 'Building human relations with subordinates and team members' at 56.4%, 'Stepping away from technology and not being able to use my skills' at 42.3%, and 'Pressure of increased responsibility' at 39.6%. - Building human relations with subordinates and team members: 56.4% - Stepping away from technology and not being able to use my skills: 42.3% - Pressure of increased responsibility: 39.6% - Lack of management experience leading to a lack of confidence: 38.3% - Judgments related to evaluations and HR: 18.1% - Decrease in focus time due to increased meetings and coordination tasks: 18.1% - Difficulty in seeing results, leading to a lack of fulfillment: 10.1% - Other: 2.0% - Overtime and holiday work becoming the norm - Being made a manager in name only to change the salary structure - Leaving the technical aspects to others - Don't know/Cannot answer: 0.0% ## About 70% voiced that they were 'glad' they actually became a manager When asked 'Q3. Now that you have actually become a manager, do you think it was good that you did?' (n=218), 27.1% answered 'Strongly agree', and 41.7% answered 'Somewhat agree'. - Strongly agree: 27.1% - Somewhat agree: 41.7%