The skills used to promote managers aren't the skills that make for great managers

Not exactly surprising. But the benefits for getting it right, are substantial (HBR via HN):

If great managers seem scarce, it’s because the talent required to be one is rare. Gallup finds that great managers have the following talents:

1. They motivate every single employee to take action and engage them with a compelling mission and vision.
2. They have the assertiveness to drive outcomes and the ability to overcome adversity and resistance.
3. They create a culture of clear accountability.
4. They build relationships that create trust, open dialogue, and full transparency.
5. They make decisions that are based on productivity, not politics.

Gallup’s research reveals that about one in ten people possess all these necessary traits. While many people are endowed with some of them, few have the unique combination of talent needed to help a team achieve excellence in a way that significantly improves a company’s performance. These 10%, when put in manager roles, naturally engage team members and customers, retain top performers, and sustain a culture of high productivity. Combined, they contribute about 48% higher profit to their companies than average managers.