Manage or not

 

The older I get, the more I believe that people are promoted to a level of incompetence. When someone does a reasonable job in a position, it is automatically assumed that they can manage people in that position. No thought seems to be given that management of people doing a task it a different skill to actually carrying out the task. Rarely is training given or evaluation of the ability to manage. Teaching is a prime example. Just because you can teach chemistry to a clasroom of kids well, doesn't mean that you can manage a group of Science Teachers. In my experience the same applies to production managers, and even HE professionals. Actually the converse may be true - a 'Shit Teacher' could just as well be a good department manager.

Why do we not seem to value the pure skill of management  - is this because this skill is hard to teach or learn, intangible as it can be sometimes? Should HE establishments work the other way around, and teach management first, then operational skills second? Instead of it being left up to chance wether someone is a good manager or not. 

While I'm on the subject, why are HR departments shit? Can they really be the only area where incompetents can be hived off, to do the least harm to an organisation?

Answers on a postcard to the usual address......