Incompetent Quote by John Gardner
““it’s a law of the universe that 87 percent of all people in all professions are incompetent.””
About This Quote
Source Quote: Unknown Source
Most people in any profession lack competence, a universal truth often ignored
In simple terms: Many professionals are incompetent
Key Takeaway
Recognize and address systemic incompetence
Themes
competence
leadership
human nature
Mood
critical
thoughtful
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- workplace hiring
- team management
- policy making
Key Concepts
cognitive bias
organizational behavior
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you identify hidden incompetence?
- What structures can improve overall competence?
A Different Perspective
Not all incompetence is visible; systemic factors may obscure it
![“The switch had two settings. You could either turn it to AUTO, in which case the awning lowered itself whenever the sun came out, or you could set it to MANUEL [sic], in which case, we assumed, a small, incompetent Spanish waiter came and did it for you.” quote by Douglas Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/fd4/douglas-adams-122_balconies_the-switch-had-two-settings-you-could-ei_178746.jpg)
![“Following is one of the most underrated aspects of leadership… I have seen many a good [military unit] underachieve, because someone...thought the commander was incompetent, and quietly worked to undermine his authority.” quote by William H. McRaven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/63f/william-h-mcraven-13570_aspect_following-is-one-of-the-most-underrated_197506.jpg)
