[greenshackle2]

By top cover, do you mean managers shielding lower level employees? That was my experience at a mid-size finance firm, it was only possible for my team do to decent work because my team lead was fairly competent at keeping the higher-ups up at bay.

[organsnyder]

The best managers I've worked for have understood that one of their key roles is to be shit-umbrellas.

[sailfast]

Precisely.