A competent person is the one who has sufficient skills and knowledge. For these pple to be where they are they must have demonstrated some special skills and effectiveness.
You will find someone who while he/she was a junior he/she was very knowledgable and hardworking, but when they get to the snr management positions they tend to do less and have other Jnrs think and work for them while they improve their management and leadership skills.

link

competence is having the right skills and knowledge to perform a job right.

@Muganda the Jnrs should then start developing their leadership skills early enough before they get to the management level. oh well...Happens very little in Kenya.

@Amir I'm just borrowing for a bit before I share the link. My presenter quoted his mentors/business leaders he admires most as:

1. Lee Kwan Yew, SINGAPORE
In 1965 – independence (same period as Kenya, Uganda,Tanzania)
From a “mere fishing village” to a “Financial Hub” which the world looks up to
Average growth of 8.5% CAGR since independence
Long term vision, strong leadership


2. Sheik Maktoum, DUBAI
- In 1990 oil contributed 35% of GDP (now accounts for <10%)
- Non oil contribution has grown FOUR times since 1990 from US$ 5bn to US$ 20bn in 2003
- GDP per capital of approx US$20,000 (versus Kenya below US$400)
- Dubai GDP grew by 16.7% in 2004 [for a population of about1m people]
- Private Sector now accounts for 50% of GDP
- Gateway to trade in Asia and ME - links other continents Africa,Europe and US
- Millions of traders visit Dubai every year



So the leader I'm quoting is one from the picture shown below:
(his leadership style is open providing latitude and freedom, empowers people, non-confrontational, drives initiatives vigorously and innovative)