The most layoff-prone job in tech right now

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Coinbase and other tech companies want fewer managers — and ones who can act as "player-coaches."

Managers who don't do any individual contributor work are especially vulnerable.

Those who survive layoffs are being tasked with overseeing AI agents — and more workers.

Managers who don't produce are becoming expendable.

As tech layoffs roll on and org charts flatten, some industry leaders are sending them a sharp directive: Keep tabs on your reports, but be sure to contribute, too.

In a letter to Coinbase staff on Tuesday, CEO Brian Armstrong announced plans to lay off 14% of its workforce and said everyone at the crypto company must be "a strong and active individual contributor." He also said the changes mean teams will be smaller — in some cases, just one person and their AI agents — and that there will no longer be "pure managers."

Sound familiar?…