Great article - I've just moved into a management position myself after being outsourced in my company for over a year as a senior developer/analyst.

Totally respect the piece about being responsible for someones career. The team I've come back to manage have been working on the same application for several years, averaging around 5. The application hasnt been updated to any new technology or processes - the team just plod along while the rest of the company move through to new and "exciting" pieces. Needless to say I'm quite appalled at this and have undertaken an initative to develop their skills through in-house throw-away projects (now funded under training!) during any quiet time, just to be able to learn the new technology and applying it to something rather than exercises from a book. Also during team meetings we get a chance to develop our soft skills - like presentations (about anything), open discussions, time management and so on.

Careers are too short and life is even shorter to let it tick away.