Community Chat

[jlkz]

Veteran of large corporation America, I've seen senseless promotions many times. Yes, relationships and hidden information abound as reasons. But, the post by Mstyrion1 is very accurate: certain positions are " learning " steps or " ticket punches " for folks who are being groomed for higher management. They usually move through the slot quickly.

[jlkz]

Also, as a long time mid level manager I've made certain promotions were endorsed appropriately. During one politically charged time period, I refused to sign off on a promotion because the individual was incompetent and had risen beyond his potential level. Since my judgment would be called into question, I refused and pointed out his prior performance reviews. No matter, he was promoted and in short time their big mistake provided big dividends. He ultimately was fired.

[Madisson]

On 3/31/2015 mstyrion 1 said:

On 3/31/2015 CouponQueen said:

I can think a lot of reasons outside of the usual brown nosing..friends..politics..favors

Time and Attendance Issues.

Not a Team Player

Young and Yes Person..moldable to their way of doing business.

Somebody who isn't always saying "It isn't my job..." and walks away.

Willing to go above and beyond.

Personality

Agree with these.

Many times upper management is looking two steps up when considering someone for a promotion. They choose the person who has the potential to keep advancing. One person may know the job backwards and forwards, but be unsuitable for anything beyond that job. The second person may be somewhat less skilled, but has great potential for the future. The second person is going to get the job.

You make good points. A person maybe considered "outstanding" at one place of employment and be considered just average or below at another place...doing the same job. So much is dependent on the boss's personality and personal values.

I just read an article yesterday (sort of a Dear Abby column), where the man complained that he has had to fire three millennials in the past year. Obviously, he is older and has a completely different set of values than the millennials. He doesn't know how to work with the millennials to bring out the best in them. I wouldn't know how either, but these people probably went on to become very good employees in a different company.

[Mindy D]

I rarely see anyone above anyone else, in any work environment, that is any better, in any way, than anyone below them in the hierarchy. I remember reading a very old study on IQ and careers and laughing when the results mentioned that secretaries had ten points higher IQs than their bosses. At that time, the careers with the highest overall IQ was not doctors , lawyers or engineers. It was high school math teachers, (they ranked above college math instructors). This was a long time ago. Half the time, in my experience, the higher-ups would choose people with the worst interpersonal skills possible. I reached the conclusion that there is no rhyme or reason to promotions.

[Lipstickdiva]

My DH is union. There are a lot of people in positions they are totally unqualified for. It has nothing to do with qualifications and everything to do with seniority.