Only if the competent let them.

You could argue that the whole point of something like Y Combinator is to back hungry competent founders over stagnant incompetent people working at behemoth companies.

You could also argue that the whole point of YC is to provide a passive(ish) income for Paul Graham by turning small hungry companies into behemoths via rapid forced growth and IPO. Like some kind of battery farming.

Foie gras

Eh, Google long ago passed the point where it was about making things, and has been at the point where 99.99% of its energy has to go towards stopping itself from imploding.

Which means processes, approvals, triple checks, departments/groups fighting each other (to protect themselves), etc.

It’s a natural part of the lifecycle and every organization gets there eventually.

What you’re talking about is frustration when you’re part of the picture (and individual ability to get things done) is blocked by the overall organizations dysfunction/morass.

> over the competent and block their potential

“I’m competent but I can’t reach my potential because others are blocking me.”

I mean that’s literally what happens. Best to get out of people’s way and let them be excellent