Failing Up in Corporate America: Confidence Over CompetenceIn this episode, we explore the intriguing phenomenon of executives rising through the ranks despite lackluster performance, a trend known as failing up. This is not a mere anomaly but a systemic issue rooted in our tendency to favor confident individuals over competent ones. Studies show that those who exude certainty and take credit for successes, regardless of their involvement, are more likely to be seen as leadership material.Another factor contributing to this trend is asymmetric accountability. In large organizations, its challenging to attribute outcomes directly to one persons decisions. When things go well, credit flows upward, but when they go poorly, blame spreads downward, shielding underperforming leaders from accountability.The mobility illusion further complicates matters. Frequent job changes are often interpreted as ambition rather than potential red flags. Executives can leave roles after short, uneven tenures, reframing each exit as a growth opportunity. Recruiters, under pressure to fill top positions, often rely on surface-level signals like brand-name companies or inflated titles, rather than conducting deep performance audits.The true test for these executives comes when they reach the CEO position. At this level, the protective buffers disappear, and performance is judged in the stark terms of earnings, stock price, and profitability. The same traits that helped them climb, like overconfidence, can quickly become major liabilities under intense scrutiny.

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