Comment by super_mario

Coaching does not imply superiority. I doubt any sports coach could substitute any player in a competitive game, yet they can coach them to become better version of themselves.

What engineers usually struggle with as they grow into more senior roles is the transition from being primarily a technologist to being a leader. This is such a huge shift for a lot of engineers and requires soft skills and communication style adjustments. The more senior you are the more your focus shifts from coding to listening, networking, influencing, selling the technical vision, building trust relationships, understanding what other engineers need and want, to mentoring, to raising the quality of the team around you through influence to motivating others as well. Being able to influence the product direction, being able to express in business terms why something has to be done or should be a higher priority etc. Also, understanding the organization and becoming organizationally savvy is important.

All of these skills take time and practice to achieve, and good managers can guide their people through the journey.