Interestingly this list covers "bad manager skills". Which emphasises the point that bad managers are bad. Equally a good manager with average tech skills can

Interestingly this list covers "bad manager skills". Which emphasises the point that bad managers are bad. Equally a good manager with average tech skills can do everything opposite to this list with the help of technical advice. Sure we'd all like a great tech guy who somehow is also a fantastic manager. But let's accept those are rare. Next best is a great manager (emphasis on good, not bad) who listens well and takes advice regarding pure tech matters. Over time their tech will improve (remember, good manager) but in the meantime IT flourishes. Only then comes a great tech guy with poor management skills. Frankly poor management will kill a team faster than good tech skills can save it. So yeah, as the article suggests, a great all rounder would be the best option. But I feel there aren't enough of those to go around. In that case I'll take a good manager over a good techie all day long.