A framework for engineering managers on when and how to intervene with their teams. Covers the 'below the waterline' model for distinguishing fatal mistakes from stylistic differences, task-relevant maturity (TRM) from Andy Grove's High Output Management, and how to intervene in ways that empower rather than undermine team autonomy. Includes real examples of management mistakes like giving teams too much ambiguity or letting design conflicts linger too long. Emphasizes that frequent intervention is itself a management failure worth postmortem-ing.