I've become convinced recently that the role of an engineering manager is to act as a nanny for the engineers. Managers act as an intermediary between engineers

I've become convinced recently that the role of an engineering manager is to act as a nanny for the engineers. Managers act as an intermediary between engineers and upper management and soften any blows that come from above. If something upsets an engineer, it's the manager's job to calm them down and tell them they're doing a good job and offer solutions to the engineer's problems. A happy engineer is a productive engineer.