A good software executive or manager will foster meritocracy, will have a good ability for followup, and will scan the environment for opportunities to innovate, whether it’s looking at new techniques related to the current software project or assist the business stakeholders in finding and prioritizing more processes that can be automated.
The “people” approach can be different, but what they value on the workplace is actually the same, at least in my industry. We foster multi-country teams within the same project whenever possible. It helps you build a company culture that crosses through office locations and helps the traveling folks feel at home in all the offices when travel is needed.
Have you found other characteristics that are important to software managers? Share in the comments section.