Unqualified decision-making. In most cases, managers who engage in technical work are not really as knowledgeable as they think they are. They may have been in the past, but current competency is often an illusion. Wresting technical decision-making away from technical staff often works out badly.

Wasted time. Technical work takes lots of time and concentration. It's easy for managers to lose enormous amounts of time doing things that could be better and more productively done by others.

Abandoned responsibilities. Perhaps worst of all, managers frequently neglect the responsibilities of leadership when they pick up technical work. When they revisit their old comfort zones, no one is fulfilling important management functions.

Since getting their hands back on technology is such a natural wish, how should managers deal with these longings? It seems pointless to suggest that they should just "get over it." Relying solely on willpower is rarely a feasible option. So I'll suggest a couple of other strategies:

Forgive yourself for having these feelings. It's perfectly normal and healthy to reflect on the past and long for the good times. Some days, it's all the joy we're going to get. Management can be a tough job, and one that gets you dang little sympathy. Realize that this does not mean that you shouldn't have gone into managerial work.