The person you're speaking about is obviously not a good steward for the company. That said, what about "Dont hate the player, hate the game" -- that seems to apply here.
I've been at companies which offer good IC tracks upward alongside management tracks upwards.
On the other hand, the company which you describe above are those which do not offer an acceptable IC track upward.
Metrics become about headcount rather than value/revenue delivered. The worst companies are those which will literally have headcount requirements for promotion, because such bright-line requirements drive the behaviour you're writing about.
I've been at companies which offer good IC tracks upward alongside management tracks upwards.
On the other hand, the company which you describe above are those which do not offer an acceptable IC track upward.
Metrics become about headcount rather than value/revenue delivered. The worst companies are those which will literally have headcount requirements for promotion, because such bright-line requirements drive the behaviour you're writing about.