spot on, I have seen people like this who you wouldn't even call brilliant but excellent Prototype-Masters. usually they flourish because they can provide cover for some deep seated insecurity of their bosses (like knowing you are technically incompetent). the problem is that such people are credit suckers because their quick & dirty prototype can pass for the real thing in the eye of 'innocent bystanders'. Overall it just lowers morale of the team as nothing seems worthwhile anymore.

Thank god I dont work there anymore!