Every time I've seen an HR degree, conflict resolution was a required course.

It's one thing to say that they're "not good at it", but I suppose by expert I mean professional qualifications. I like to have coworkers who are proficient in their professional qualifications, and then forgive them for the things they're not qualified in but replace them if they are incapable in the things they are supposed to be qualified in.

Maybe I'm a jerk, but I'm used to having competent people around me and having difficult discussions with those who aren't. HR is the same as any other department in that, to me.

EDIT: I realize how much of an asshole I sound like. To be clear, I've got the Boston IT scene in my blood. Starting salaries in the 6-figure range, incredibly low oversight. But zero pity for people who can't keep up. I know I need to have more sympathy than that for people who aren't as capable in their job - it's not like I love capitalism as concept.

And I recognize the irony of acknowledging my own assholishness when the topic is Linus Torvald's assholishness. But then, I'm also used to HR that can move heaven and earth to reconcile a situation with a valued employee. To keep your job where I come from, you need to be so valuable that they'll hide bodies for you (figuratively).