We could imagine his leadership and role, to the (technical) success of the fantastic bird.
As an ancient, I'm still somewhat astonished about the lack of "feedback" from the aircraft to the pilot, which seems to have disappeared slowly....
When the crew in some machines (by design) are considered almost an accessory* to it's operation why they should invest in interfaces and feedback?
An "accessory" also convenient after "multiple design faults" allowing the publishing of "operator error" (citing lack of training, etc).
(*) Just exaggerating to express how i feel after reading AF447 published "circonstances" reports.