When Did a Call to Incompetence Become So Popular?

There’s something known as a call to authority. The basic gist here is that people hold those with authority to a higher regard. Those in authority were to be believed and respected.

I remember growing up, I was to look to those in authority. The ones given authority for their expertise, leadership, and competence.

Hmmm, yeah, remember that? Competence. Used in the same sentence with authority as if they are synonymous. What has changed?

In recent years, it’s baffling how it’s become a common trope for leaders to claim incompetence to absolve themselves from accountability. As if claiming incompetence is now someone’s “reason” to get themselves off-the-hook.

Sure, that may get you out of the immediate trouble. But shouldn’t an excuse of incompetence be trouble for your tenure and retaining trust in your position. Shouldn’t someone try to find any other reason but incompetence as to why they were complicit in something going horribly wrong.

I mean, you’re basically admitting that you suck at your job.

Well, this doesn’t seem to be the case anymore. Somewhere along the way society has crossed a threshold — some tipping point — where the once dismayed “incompetence” claim has now become the standard go-to excuse. A preferred excuse with the least consequences, and only a modicum of egg on one’s face.

When did this switch happen? What has occurred to allow such an undesirable claim as “incompetence” to no longer have the negative consequences once attached to it?

This has become so pervasive that now so-called “leaders” don’t even flinch when shrugging their shoulders, confessing to their incompetence. They simply meander or weasel around questions assessing their competence. Going through the motions, get through the momentary discomfort, and get to other side as if knowing accountability no longer matters.

Even when an authority figure doesn’t outright claim incompetence, members or society are quick to jump to that as the reason. The public assign the failed authority with the excuse of incompetence. That’s easier; that’s the low-hanging fruit of why these “leaders” are making bad, compromising decisions. So, we offer them that excuse…