Idea Ripper // ArchiveCards: 1555 [Live] | Updated: 2026-10-14
Card #c1117IR // #c1117Synthesis

"What we are all looking for, however, is the readymade, competent man; the man whom some one else has trained."

— In our words · Source: The Principles of Scientific Management (Frederick Winslow Taylor)

[Use when]

A role has been open for months because nobody fully qualified applies.

[Why it matters]

Taylor says demand for competent people always runs ahead of supply because everyone is shopping for the finished product. His alternative is to systematically train the competent hire yourself.

Filed under situations:When the team is looking to you to lead

More from The Principles of Scientific Management

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Same situation, different book

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