More of a team leader at least, non-IC. Some Senior ICs deliberately don't want any part in politics, just want a task and want to get it done (see for example advice on HN about avoiding meetings and politics at all costs).
One ill effect of not deciding to participate is that you'll be subjected to rules that which you play no part in establishing. I think it's about the balance to strike between being well and content with what's going around, and needing to exercise control to change the environment.
Well said! Same as a country/society.
Sorry, but what does IC mean?
Individual Contributor. ICs are not managers, or Team Leads, or any of people leading positions.
A friend described it to me once "a leaf node" in entire company structure - not a manager. I think it is a good description, also reason why saying "engineer" does not cover all ICs.
Individual contributor
some people would say "Independent Contributor", which appears to be a level in some large corporations.