This is different from MakeOthersBecomeIncompetent.
When somebody wants to look competent, but there is somebody who is more competent in the room, he can do 2 things:
- Make the other look incompetent by ChestThumping.
- Make himself look more competent by not arguing with the other, but developing the other's idea further.
The first is an AntiPattern called MakeOthersLookIncompetent, while the second is a technique called GoWithTheFlow in which no one gets incompetent.
There are some who use a more subtle method which could be described as down talking than chest thumping. This is to deliver an unnecessary lecture in front of a manager on a technology that the target already is very familiar with, to create the impression in the manager that the target is ignorant or incompetent. The intended target needs to find a way to try to explain his or her knowledge and competence diplomatically yet assertively; success in this will make the lecture backfire.
See also FourLevelsOfCompetence