I couldn't agree more. As an Application Manager with a large consulting/outsourcing firm, I can say from experience that we'll never be as technically competent as our staff, nor do I ever want to be. They would in the trenches every day. I do too, but my trenches are dug for different reasons. Mine are there to deal with the more strategic, political, and managerial aspects of leading a superb team of technology professionals. They don't work with (nor do they want to) client senior executives, our own company management, etc. They leave that up to me. They work with technology to solve business problems. I lead them, give them direction, etc. They're good at what they do. I'm not too bad at what I do either, but they make me, as their manager, look even better.