In this solo episode, Matt explores why talented engineers and technical experts often avoid management roles and what that means for organizational success. Drawing on recent conversations with HR professionals and experiences in various companies, the episode breaks down the root causes of this leadership gap—highlighting overly complicated management systems, excessive bureaucracy, and misaligned promotion criteria as key contributors. The discussion also covers the organizational costs of this trend, such as hiring difficulties and ineffective leadership. To address these issues, the episode introduces the concept of “first principles management,” offering a simplified, foundational approach to developing effective managers, especially from technical backgrounds.