[matwood]

> On the other hand, there are many projects where an average team of engineers will fail, regardless of how good their manager is

I'd love to see some examples of this because IME it's not true. Great managers/leaders take normal teams and make them successful. Rarely can a single great team member or a great team succeed over a poor manager (unless they essentially start managing themselves).

It reminds of the old adage about great football coaches. The great coach will take his team and beat yours, and then take your team and beat his. Leadership and management is all too often underestimated by engineers and that is to their detriment.