Why is the workforce (particularly in Buffalo) so full of incompetence?

Question

I have yet to work somewhere that I wasn't way more talented, intelligent, experienced, etc. than my boss! I'm only 26 and I'm having trouble not quitting jobs because I keep working for people who don't know how to do business. What's up with that??

Answer 1

I believe there are 4 factors involved.

1) People are generally more incompetent today. I used to manage a custom metal fabrication shop and I couldn't believe what basic concepts people don't know. 40 years ago people in this industry had to do everything by hand so they needed to know more about how things worked. Now they just stand in front of a machine and push a button. The more we stop learning from experience (i.e. too much weight on one side of the see-saw keeps the other side from going down) and rely on observation (TV, etc) the worst we are going to get at applying useful information to new situations.

2) Tying in with number one, people put too much emphasis on a sheep skin (degree). I know one guy who has a degree in business and another guy with a degree in engineering. They both own businesses but the one with the business degree is a better engineer and the opposite is true of the other guy. People learn better when they have to learn something in order to put food on the table. When someone has a degree in a certain area they tend to stop learning in that area because they think, "I have already learned it all.", even when what they learned doesn't actually apply to what is happening.

3) Managers do not know how to manage people. That is their job. They are supposed to help you do your job, NOT try to do your job for you. They best managers are the ones who let their employees do what they know how to do.

4) Companies are looking to spend less. I have found over time that the value of having a knowledgeable person in a position is hard to justify to the bean counters. Instead of having a purchasing agent that knows what he is ordering and what type of service they are getting, companies put a glorified Secretary in the position, who simply orders the numbers and goes with the lowest price.

As for starting your own business, you are going to go from having stupid bosses to having stupid employees.

Hopefully you will eventually find a place where everything comes together for you.

Answer 2

Don't give up. There will be a time and a place that was made for you. All of us take different roads, some are rocky as all get out and some seem to have magically inherited the silver spoon. Just keep believing in yourself and keep searching. It will happen. And then the magic will begin for you.

It took me 16 years to finally find a place where I did not have to be aggravated every day by the actions of others but I got here, and it was definitely a rocky road getting here at times. The trip here sometimes made me literally sputter things like "flabbergast" and "mystified" at some of the cacophony I encountered :)

Don't get the wrong impression though, it was not all bad. I've had some terrific adventures and encountered many delightfully beautiful hearted people along the way.

If it were not for the bad I would not know the good when I chanced to meet it.

Oh, and PS: Trust your instincts, they utilize your buried intellect that you may not be consciously aware of.

Answer 3

I have never been to Buffalo, but in general ,incompetence starts from the top( management) and drops down. I guess you have a lot of bad buffalo droppings.

If you are as you say "more talanted, intelligent, experinced, etc." than all the people you have worked for and are unsatisfied then use your talents to work for yourself. You will be much happeir and will not have to deal with an inferior supervisor.

Answer 4

You sound like you may be a good candidate to start your own business. Unless you are one of the "boys",You have to be a good kiss butt or have a real knack at acting dumb to climb the ladder and I don't see that. On the other hand, talent, intelligence and experience can go a long way when you're out on your own.

Answer 5

In my own humble opinion, and I have worked many years in many fields, people are incompentent because they lack the education and interest for the task they are performing. They don't know what they are doing, plain and simple, and then add to that, they don't care. Some people only care about the paycheck and have no pride in what they are doing, the interest to learn more and more about the industry they are in, and the ambition to want to succeed in it. In short, they need to get a life with a job they love... They are simply in the wrong business.

Answer 6

well nicole, i am originally from the buffalo area, but i moved (finally ) 5 years ago to indiana, because i couldnt take the dumbasses and the cold. i would say your best bet would be to move and find a better city to live in and work. i hear denver is nice. hope that helps

Answer 7

Obama continues to be carrying out his 'environmental result study' somewhat of merely searching on the oil and putting forward shall we end this with each thing we've. regularly occurring academia at paintings.

Answer 8

How about this one......I never should have graduated from high school,I have no college degree. all I have is common since.

Yet! I'm smarter than 50% of the animal vets in this country.
That's sad to say if someone like me is smarter than a Doctor

and don't get me started on the palliation's.

Answer 9

Read the book titled "The Peter Principle". This book explains the dynamics that cause people to rise to the level of their incompetence. Basically, it's easier to promote a jag-off than to fire them.

Answer 10

I think that if you just keep looking, you will eventually find the job you are looking for, But don't quit your current job untill you find the one that best suits you, because no income is not a cool thing.