1) No training for managers. 2) No measurement of managers against what actually makes a good manager (ie- only rewarded for results, ignoring if your team hates you and is quitting left and right). 3) First time Founders may not have had great role models or training themselves so they won't set a great example either. 4) First time managers are common because you were an early employee or around longer, so I guess you should manage. 5) Misaligned incentives: the only way to get a raise is to go into management 6) Being a manager isn't for everyone, but few companies make it safe to go back after 7) Turnover is tolerated more in the Valley than other places which can hide management problems others companies could never afford (it costs about 2/3rds of a salary to replace someone).
Re: Being able to be flat sounds great, but at scale creates a lot of challenges when you need decisions made and you don't all fit in a conference room anymore. Having someone who can make a final call (and ideally does take input from everyone involved) is more efficient than having 50+ people all moving in independent directions.
[2] Google Questions for Good Management https://getlighthouse.com/blog/google-management/ [5] [6] Why people take management jobs and shouldn't https://getlighthouse.com/blog/bad-manager/ [7] Why it costs over $65,000 to replace an employee https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/hidden-costs-replacing-employ...