As an individual contributor, I loved solving hard problems that mattered together with people who cared. Hard problems that mattered both to users and the business. With people who cared about each other and the problem we were solving. To push through numerous setbacks together, get into the flow, and celebrate the wins. A sense of community, progress, learning, and growth. Personally and professionally. That was my joy as an individual contributor.
As a manager, the excitement and motivation come from creating and scaling a system that enable others to feel the joy and experience the growth I did as an individual contributor. I love it.