Budget cuts / pressure. Justifying headcount. Justifying value of the team. VIP requests for stupid reports / features / meetings. Questions about schedule,

Budget cuts / pressure. Justifying headcount. Justifying value of the team. VIP requests for stupid reports / features / meetings. Questions about schedule, scope, etc. Politics. Stupid meetings. Stupid emails. Good managers will shield you from all of this. A good manager will let you work and create the perception that everything is ok above him, when in reality its a series of constant battles and high stakes poker.