Is your suggestion that they wouldn't do well in more constrained middle management roles? Perhaps (I don't really agree), but then does coming from the other s

Is your suggestion that they wouldn't do well in more constrained middle management roles? Perhaps (I don't really agree), but then does coming from the other side with the whole idea of "technical managers" and ICs "retiring into management" (many later ending up as high as any level you want to pick with various domains of focus -- some even go get MBAs!) matter to you? I find it laughable to create a technical/non-technical dichotomy as it relates to predictive managerial suitability (programmers deal with absurd complexities in software, but somehow aren't suitable to organize a Christmas party?) and even fundamental preferences. The father of quality management (Deming, whom more people in software should read, especially managers) was himself quite technical.