Weaponized incompetence, also known as strategic incompetence, is a concept in popular psychology where an individual uses feigned or deliberate incompetence to avoid unwanted responsibility. It is a form of passive-aggressive behavior where someone deliberately performs tasks poorly or pretends to be incompetent. The term "weaponized" implies that the incompetence is intentional and used as a tool to manipulate others.
Some signs of weaponized incompetence include:
- Poorly executed actions or behaviors that are done on purpose while appearing to be out of incompetence.
- Continual behavior that is typically intentional, rather than a few occurrences where someone is unhelpful.
- An imbalance in a relationship where one partner is over-functioning and the other is under-functioning.
Weaponized incompetence can be damaging to relationships, as it can create an imbalance where one partner is doing more work than the other. It can also lead to frustration and resentment, as the person who is over-functioning may feel like they are being taken advantage of.
To deal with weaponized incompetence, it is important to recognize the signs and communicate openly with the person who is exhibiting the behavior. It may also be helpful to set clear expectations and boundaries, and to seek the help of a therapist if necessary.
