I don't think I've ever worked at a company where slacking off was the problem. The vast majority of people want to do good work.

What I _have_ seen is several companies afflicted by this really strange characteristic of the software development industry: We appear to be the only industry on the planet where it is common to pick leaders (executives) that know nothing about the product or how it's made.

You can't run a bridge building company without knowing how to build a bridge. You can't run a law firm without knowing law.

You don't need to know all the nitty gritty - big picture is important - but understanding the product _in depth_ is a requirement in any business.