The difference between success and failure is management.
A good manager is not one who is aggressive or skilled at manipulating others, but one who sets reasonable expectations and meets them consistently. That’s somebody that others can rely upon, and an essential component of an effective organization. Good managers reduce organizational complexity. For their reports, they organize the work and incentives to get things done and keep people happy. For stakeholders, a good manager takes responsibility and is accountable for their projects and reports.
When issues arise, a manager who is close to the work can exercise their own judgement and make the necessary adjustments without relying too heavily on second-hand accounts, or placing additional burden on their reports. By getting their hands dirty as often as possible, a manager can know what’s going on, and be more useful in planning at higher levels of the organization. A good manager is a leader; one who is fair, reasonable, and empathetic to the needs of their colleagues, customers and stakeholders.