[nothanksmydude]

Wisest dude I've ever worked with was >50. Sharpest was probably a friend I grew up with, he was writing C before he was 12! Some mad productive cats from 30-45 too.

E: had to come back and say that the best PM's I've worked with have all been >40 year old women who have bigcorp experience. They don't take shit from anyone and protect their people.

[hashhar]

I have also seen the same regards to engineering mangers. The best ones have tended to be older women with either bigcorp experience or have been in the current company for a long time. They know how to maximise the developers productivity and do a good job of allowing the dev to focus on work instead of attending stupid meetings and makes sure to fight for your stance when needed.