I decided I NEVER wanted to manage anyone at a large or even medium sized tech company.

Politically there is no winning:

- Your peer competitors (other VPs) are after you - Your direct reports are after you (or you are accountable for them) - The direct reports of other VPs are after you - Your CEO is after you

You only have ways to lose. I dont know why anyoner would ever want one of those jobs, they are horrible.