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- The Social Cost of Incompetent People
Larry McMurtry said, “Incompetents invariably make trouble for people other than themselves.”
The definition of incompetent is more generous than the word feels: “not having or showing the necessary skills to do something successfully.”
But if you invert the quote and the definition,
“Competents invariably eliminate trouble for people other than themselves.”
And “having or showing the necessary skills to do something successfully,” this is telling.
Because if you’re competent, you reduce frictions.
If you’re incompetent, you create frictions.
If you’re competent you reduce burdens.
If you’re incompetent, you increase burdens.
Like most things McMurtry, I’m sure there’s a morality conundrum nestled into that quote. The definition and the inversion, along with his quote, they’re reminding us of the social angle of smarts. I wasn’t expecting that.
Competence, and incompetence, they don’t exist in a vacuum - they’re both part of our experienced relationships with others, which is why I can’t shake this quote right now.
Be more competent. Be aware, if not understanding, of incompetence and how to defend against it.
In a world of frictions, competence is kindness. Practice to gain it. Then, practice it.