[firebrand39]

Honestly, any manager who does not have a hands-on approach is a waste (20 years business/it experience). That said, there is what I call management-craftsmanship, i.e. knowing how the legal environment influences you, understanding accounting etc., stuff you learn in (any) mba. This craftsmanship may be confused with being a good manager. It is not. It is just basics which wear off quickly. These types just do not add value mid- and long-term. They are usually just highly political bureaucrats.

Just be smart and study other companies. Google comes to mind. And be critical (value-adding, benevolent) with yourself.