The Expert Beginner

I came across this blog post by Erik Dietrich that is excellent.

He articulates the concept of a person who has reached a peak, and then is put into power and holds everyone else down to that peak. I have worked for companies that are riddled with Expert Beginners - people receiving promotions because they "put in their time", not because they are qualified. These people hold the keys to advancement and productivity, and despite the costs, hold them very tightly.

I think everyone, at some point in their careers, have worked with Expert Beginners.

Here are the four posts on Expert Beginners, well worth the read:

1. How Developers Stop Learning: Rise of the Expert Beginner 
2. How Software Groups Rot: Legacy of the Expert Beginner 
3. How Stagnation is Justified: Language of the Expert Beginner
4. Up or Not: Ambition of the Expert Beginner
5. Self-Correcting Organizations: Fall of the Expert Beginner

My biggest hurdle is getting and maintaining the energy and patience to out-endure them.

How do you handle and out-endure Expert Beginners?  Sometimes the best way is to look for greener pastures.