[hcarvalhoalves]

> It always seemed to me that people with more of a managerial background would be better managers

The distinction dates back to the industrial revolution, where you had manufacturing line workers and line managers. A manager would usually be an owner's relative or someone they trusted – more loyal to the company than the unions.

This distinction perpetuated well into current age, just notice how much implicit bias there is about "programmers don't have people skills" to keep workers accepting a career ceiling. Most managers aren't skilled either, and not respected by the workers due to it, but companies won't keep them from managing because they need someone to be responsible for plans, estimates, OKRs, etc.

I guess in software it's "more" common due to survivorship bias – the business of software is so messed up and people have so little idea how to manage it, that companies without experienced leaders have a smaller chance. Strong companies and teams in the field have leaders with enough hands-on experience to have natural authority.