Ask a bunch of technical people this question and you will be shocked to hear that most prefer technical managers. That’s due at least in part to people placing

Ask a bunch of technical people this question and you will be shocked to hear that most prefer technical managers. That’s due at least in part to people placing the highest value on things they are good at. The worst manager I ever had was super technical but profoundly unable to relate to people. What I want most in a manager is (a) management skill, and (b) empathy. It would be nice also if they’re technical, but a good manager can work around that limitation. A bad manager can’t work around whatever their limitations are. And everyone has limitations.