Let’s be honest: how often have we seen people promoted, celebrated, and empowered merely because they fit a mold, not because they’re genuinely the best? White men, often handed opportunities without question, represent a culture that has rarely had to step aside and create space for others. This isn’t an attack on any individual’s merit but a call to action to redefine what competence means. True competence isn’t just about one’s skills; it’s about lifting others up, breaking barriers, and championing diversity. Those who cling to the status quo might argue that promoting people based on gender or race “lowers standards,” but that’s merely an excuse to preserve power structures that favor the few over the many.

So, here’s the challenge: let’s expand the definition of competence. If you’re truly competent, you’re confident enough to step aside, allowing others to rise. Competence is about empowering, not overpowering. Until we embrace this, the notion of “competence first” will remain a hollow slogan. Are you brave enough to step out of the spotlight so someone else can grow?

Have a brilliant day!

Ulf Lidman