Incompetence

Incompetence

There are two kinds of incompetence. First there is an intentional tendency to do shoddy to save money and second, actual incompetence where the person by lack of education, ability, and age simply cannot do the work they are delegated. The appearance of incompetence is the handmaiden to crime. Incompetence is a plausible excuse for shoddy work, expensive work, and delays in planning and execution of the job. In businesses of all description the appearance of incompetence allows the business person to skirt many rules and standards of the profession or industry. An accountant may, for example, provide a client with a tax return that is inaccurate, imprecise or simply wrong. Here the symbol of service is presented to the client but not the substance of diligent and considerate work. Incompetence can also be a function of occupational burnout. This may be due to emotional or family problems but it can also find its source in an uninspiring workplace.

When an employee is placed in a role they are not well suited for the end result could lead to an incompetent employee. In jobs that require expertise and an encyclopedic knowledge of possible products, employers desperate for help will place an employee in a position "over their head." If a business is reliant on another business to provide them with merchandise or parts, an incompetent employee causes errors that cost the buyers time and money. Instead of paying employees more money and attracting better help the costs are transferred to the buyers equaling far more than the additional costs of paying for a good employee. Attentions are focused on short term gains rather than long term growth and profits. So there is a connection between management and ethical behavior.

Another variant on incompetence is the willing fool. A willing fool is defined as a person who does not act with due diligence rather they compromise their customers interest in exchange for perks and incentives. The willing fool tends to focus on the selling of a product rather than keeping up on the reliability of a product or service.  Instead of listening to their customers complaints they listen to the sales pitch of a company that, for instance, is selling a badly designed part. There are limits to what the willing fool wants to know about the daily operation of a business.

• Mismanagement
• Fraud
• Constructive Taking
• Tactical Ignorance
• Actual Ignorance
• Burnout
• Old Age
• Shoddy Work
• Constructive Taking
• Hatchet Job
  Willing Fools
  Emotional Candy