It is rare for an engineering founder to assert leadership for an extended period of time, but when it happens, amazing things can follow. Microsoft, Oracle, Facebook, Github, SAP all come to mind.
Today, HN has been full of stories that make me sad about being a software guy. Maybe the only way is to work in early stage startups, moving on after the managers roll in and your day is full of meetings about new reorganization.
I hope other board of directors will learn from Marissa Mayer being hired as the CEO of Yahoo.