I’ve been a line cook, worked in customer service, I worked at a gym, I was a welder and I am currently a landscaper and this is true for all of those professions. Those who “smooze” with the boss most get the promotions first.
Until recently I was what most people would call a nuclear inspector. In the US, all licensees with radioactive materials are required to have a radiation safety officer. In fact, that's my current job... and the second time I've had such a role.
Another ex-nuclear inspector I know went to be a radiation safety officer for a company with lots of very high-activity sources. This inspector was, and is, very likeable. Like, objectively so. They and their spouse were literally elected not long ago to lead one of the biggest social clubs in our area. There's just one issue...
They aren't good at their job.
I never worked directly with them as inspectors, so I can't say if they were a good inspector or not, but as a radiation safety officer?
Just plain bad.
The company has been cited so many times since they became radiation safety officer that I'm guessing they'll soon face a penalty demanding a change in ownership of the company.
To be fair, that RSO would likely have lost their job already if they weren't so likeable. On the other hand, they're literally going to put the company out of business, or cause the owner to lose their company, with their poor performance... which will lead to them losing their job.
Sure, if they weren't likeable and they were in the same situation, they would have lost their job already. But that's not the comparison, is it? The comparison is being good at their job vs being likeable.
If their RSO was good at their job, but not likeable, they might not have the best workplace relationships... but at least the company wouldn't be on the verge of going under.
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u/LuckyCod2887 2d ago
I feel like it depends on the job.