The Unwanted CV

With all the furore over toxic companies and colleagues in 2021, Challenge takes a look sideways at the so-called skills we want to leave behind as we enter a new year.
“Skills” on paper vs skills in practice

What It Says on the CV vs What It Is in Practice

Deft Delegation Skills >> Strategic Incompetence

strategic incompetence is avoiding undesirable tasks by pretending to be unable to do them.

Recently popularised as “weaponised incompetence” on TikTok (in the context of unequal household duties between married couples), strategic incompetence is the art of avoiding undesirable tasks by pretending to be unable to do them.

The Singaporean version: tai chi, “Act blur, live longer”

Able to Work Fast and Multi-task >> the Curse of the Efficient Person

Too many tasks and multi-tasking lead to less optimal results and eventually burnout.

A common requirement in recruitment notices. However, getting so many things done too quickly means you might be a target for the strategically incompetent. Taking on too many tasks and multi-tasking has also been shown to lead to less optimal results and eventually the worker’s burnout.

The Singaporean version: bao ka liao, “everything also do”

Terrific Team Player >> Taking Too Much Credit

Someone who doesn’t follow through with action and execution.

Someone who claims to believe in “we”, not “me”, is skilled in salesmanship or putting forth ideas, but doesn’t follow through with action and execution, or puts in 1% of effort in a team project.

The Singaporean version: “No action, talk only”

  • POSTED ON
    Dec 10, 2021
  • link facebook
  • link twitter
  • link whatsapp
  • link email