I'll never forget the first time I threw a direct report under the bus. I was in a sort of "manager-limbo" where I was leading a team but wasn't fully an administrative manager in the HR system. It was all very awkward.
Very shortly into this time period, my boss asked me a direct question about the status of something and why was it done the way it was. Immediately I felt like I was being called out and went into defensive mode.
My reply was something along the lines of, "I don't know, ask this-person, they did it".
My boss, whom I had worked for prior and was very much a mentor to me, immediately pulled me aside and said, "Did you just throw this-person under the bus? Dude, that's not how we lead".
I share this because I have never forgotten that moment. The realization of what my role truly was.
They fucked up? My fault. I step in front to protect them.
They kicked ass? I get the f*ck out of their way and let them shine!
I do my best to continue that approach to this day. I'm not perfect, but people who have reported to me seem to like me.