--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is the curse of the competent―not to…" description: "\"“It is the curse of the competent―not to be called upon.”\" — Robert Priest" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d81/robert-priest-72736_aphorism_it-is-the-curse-of-the-competent-not-to_931704.jpg" --- # It is the curse of the competent―not to be called upon. ![“It is the curse of the competent―not to be called upon.” quote by Robert Priest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d81/robert-priest-72736_aphorism_it-is-the-curse-of-the-competent-not-to_931704.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d81/robert-priest-72736_aphorism_it-is-the-curse-of-the-competent-not-to_931704.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d81/robert-priest-72736_aphorism_it-is-the-curse-of-the-competent-not-to_931704.jpg) > ““It is the curse of the competent―not to be called upon.”” [Robert Priest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-priest/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Competent people often go unnoticed because they are not called upon for visible tasks. **In simple terms:** Competence can be overlooked. Key Takeaway Seek ways to recognize and utilize hidden talent. Themes competence recognition invisibility talent workplace Mood reflective thoughtful Type professional motivational When to use this quote - team meetings - performance reviews - project staffing - leadership training Key Concepts skill underutilization acknowledgment bias role assignment Questions to Reflect On - How can leaders identify silent contributors? - What systems can ensure equitable task distribution? A Different Perspective Organizational cultures may favor outspoken over quiet competence. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Aphorism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aphorism/) [Called](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/called/) [Competence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/competence/) [Competent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/competent/) [Competent Called](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/competent-called-1522980/) [Curse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/curse/) [Curse Competent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/curse-competent-1522979/) [Cynicism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cynicism/) [Meritocracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/meritocracy/) [Wit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wit/) ## Related quotes > [“Marketing is so powerful that it can make even an extremely untalented musician a one-hundred-hits wonder.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mokokoma-mokhonoana/marketing-is-so-powerful-that-it-can-make-even-an-extremely/) [Mokokoma Mokhonoana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mokokoma-mokhonoana/) > [“Our culture doesn't seem to value competence as much as it used to. 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Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-g-moore/) > [ Inequality is going to be a big issue, but competence is going to be the biggest issue. \[People\] want to see somebody that's super-competent… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/inequality-is-going-to-be-a-big-issue-but-competence-is-going-to-be/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [“A Sentient Incompetent employee is preferable to one who is Insentient Competent”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sudhir-warier/a-sentient-incompetent-employee-is-preferable-to-one-who-is/) [Sudhir Warier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sudhir-warier/) > [Modern children were considerably less innocent than parents and the larger society supposed, and postmodern children are less competent than their parents and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-elkind/modern-children-were-considerably-less-innocent-than-parents-and-the/) [David Elkind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-elkind/) > [A good landscape painting is not just a demonstration of competent application of paint. 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