Why Are There So Many Bad Bosses? (Update) | Freakonomics Radio

People who are good at their jobs routinely get promoted into bigger jobs they’re bad at. We explain why firms keep producing incompetent managers — and why that’s unlikely to change.

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Discover the hidden side of everything with host Stephen J. Dubner, co-author of the Freakonomics books. Each week, Dubner speaks with Nobel laureates and provocateurs, intellectuals and entrepreneurs, and various other underachievers to uncover things you always thought you knew (but didn’t) and things you never thought you wanted to know (but do) — from the economics of sleep to the future of education, from markets for marriage to the surprising utility of wolves.

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Freakonomics began as a book, which led to a blog, a documentary film, more books, a pair of pants, and in 2010, a podcast called Freakonomics Radio. Hosted by Stephen J. Dubner, it’s one of the most popular podcasts in the world, with a reputation for storytelling that is both rigorous and entertaining. Its archive of more than 500 episodes is available, for free, on any podcast app, and the show airs weekly on NPR stations. Freakonomics Radio is now the flagship show of the Freakonomics Radio Network, which includes the podcasts No Stupid Questions (est. 2020), People I (Mostly) Admire (2020), and Freakonomics, M.D. (2021).

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[stephenboyington]

I have never had any desire to go into management. I have stayed in the technical track, and have no regrets. Go Katie!

[revcrussell]

The company I work for and in much of the Canadian government, professional engineers and scientists chose late in their career if they want to become a manager or to be continue to be paid more as a senior professional. These senior professionals don't create what HR calls "compression" where the boss is paid less than the employee. Our senior professionals can be paid more than their boss.

[JeffreyAllen-qvlk]

Wow guys I been listening to your podcast last three years now on tablet in the clink n just saw ya visual for first time. Dubnah I got close to guessing n yet Levitt shocked me completely. Thought he looked like Phil Coulson SHIELD agent from Marvel Avengers movies n yet he looks all GQ like Johnny from Karate Kid movie original ya shocked totally hahaha. First day back on www in four years now n worth it rock that howse