What is the competency paradox?
One of the classic examples in Silicon Valley is the really smart tech guy who is reluctant to get help on business tasks such as operations and fundraising. Conversely, there is also the case of a business guy who is not willing to get help on the tech side and chooses to "outsource" the tasks to a highly incapable 15 year old kid as to minimize costs (Note: I am overall a big fan of tech outsourcing).
Often times, this is precisely what happens when that said individual has the lowest skill in the outsourced activity. In other words, this often happens to the most nerdy and socially incapable developers and vice versa (with the business guy).
Why does this happen?
This happens for one simple, yet difficult issue, that we must all "battle with" (to some degree or another): EGO. Think about it, would someone with a strong ego allow themselves to be incompetent in a critical business function? It's better that we label the other function generically as "just some business tasks" or "just some coding" in order to protect our ego and our perception of ourselves.
This ego protection works in some very clever ways. For example, an individual who is highly protected of his ego has trouble making differentiation in the other type of activity. Not only can this individual fail to differentiate between a 7 out of 10 business/tech guy and a 9 out of 10 business/tech guy, but this individual will surely overlook the non-linear nature in these relationships.
In other words, a 9 out of 10 business/tech guy can perform his function somewhere between 3-10x better than the 7 out of 10 business/tech guy.
How do we identify this?
There are many ways to identify this on different types of organizations. One of the most dangerous situations is when enterprises are bragging or boasting about their non-financial performance.
The sense of false security that organizations get from being the: best / fastest / etc. (anything that is not financial) is a factor that makes it very difficult for the organization to wake up and focus on financial returns that are the only factors that can keep a company afloat and thriving.
How to Solve this?
It has been years since I attempted to "change/help" anyone without their request. The best bet is to go for individuals that do not have this ego block and are concentrated on maximizing success for the organization.
Often times, these individuals are those who are not afraid to work on constantly improving their strengths and bringing on board brilliant people with complementary skills. These are people with healthy egos that realize, "Hey, I'm a 9 out of 10 tech guy and if I can get a 9 out of 10 business guy then we can make magic happen."
My personal advice is that you do not go in a situation where you have to educate the individual on this, as this is a world perspective and value system that is deeply buried away in our psychology.
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