Incompetence Syndrome

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ow mp oyees ea w

their Incompetence

SyndromeA Hypothesis

Sohailuddin AlaviCapacity Building and Institutional Development Consultant

Karachi, Pakistan


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Hypothesis

As employees climb up in their careers theirconfidence of being competent getsstrengthened

Nevertheless, generally as soon as theemployees face newer challenges in theirwork situations, this realization comesnaturally that they lack competence in onearea or the other

Yet, very few take this internal criticismconstructively and improve: How do othersdeal with such situations is the focus of this

analysis 3/11/2013 Sohailuddin Alavi 2


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Competency Defined

Competency is relative and changesover time

Competency is a process manifested in:

Ability to analyze and describe an opportunityor a problem in a holistic perspective

Ability to be creative so to innovate response

that is effective, efficient and within the

bounds of morality and ethics

Ability to make right decision and act

prudently

Ability to harness outcome3/11/2013 Sohailuddin Alavi 3


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Response to Incompetence:

International literature review A research was published in an international

magazine on the subject about a decade ago

The locus of research was employees in the USand Japan

It was revealed that US employees, as theyrealize their incompetence take shelter inbureaucratic tactics. Such as: Promote administrative rather than technocratic

culture

Emphasize on hierarchies to assert and prevail

Rely on their legitimate authority to control others

Encourage top down communication only

Demonstrate visible superiority in physical facilities(Offices, entitlements, benefits, etc.)

And much more

3/11/2013 Sohailuddin Alavi 4


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Response to Incompetence:

International literature review Japanese employees response was

in contrast to the US culture

Reported response of an average

Japanese employee was that as soon asthe realization of incompetence comes he

or she generally steps down from the

position

In some extreme cases, it was reported

that such employees had even committed

suicide (May be in compensation of their mistaken occupationof the position)



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Indicative Variables that are

Likely to Influence Response Rights centered mind-set or motivation Lack of deterrence in the immediate work

Lack of accountability (Punitive

reinforcement) Feudal value system (We-They)

Compartmentized values

Habit of denial

Insecurity

Culture

Pride


Documents

Incompetence Syndrome