Comment by rubicon33

The approach the company I work for has taken, is that leads and managers are primarily coders.

I think this makes sense especially for smaller companies, but it does put a extra emphasis on hiring well. Basically, I'm expected to code and helping my team is secondary to that. If I want the team to succeed I need to hire people who are self motivated and competent enough that they only require a little guidance here and there.

Turns out that's very difficult to hire consistently for. Finding self motivated and highly skilled developers just isn't all that easy in todays climate of boot campers.