Pretty much every company I’ve been in or know of values a vertical trajectory instead of a horizontal one for its employees i.e becoming a manager nearly always means a faster salary progression than becoming an expert in one or multiple fields.
Why is expertise valued less?
You still need leadership in any system.
Eve your argument “seize the means of production” only happens with leadership.
The OP said:
I simply explained what someone might have meant regarding seizing the means of production being a potential solution to expertise being valued less than being manager.
I didn’t say we don’t need leaders. An owner or a manager may be in charge but that doesn’t make them a leader.