Managing engineers more experienced than you

New engineering managers often struggle when managing highly experienced engineers, making three common mistakes: trying to compete technically with their team members, giving them complete autonomy without any guidance, and avoiding feedback out of fear. The solution involves accepting your role as a complement to their technical skills, providing structured support through periodic check-ins and clear expectations, and consistently offering feedback focused on broader impact and growth opportunities. Success comes from partnering with experienced engineers rather than competing with them.