It isn't easy trying to please everybody. Somewhere somebody is going to be pissed at your for some decision you made. And it really puts you in an awkward situation if you were promoted to your position and your former coworkers become your employees. In a clinic where I work I deal with them, my boss and the clinic director and all of the doctors (which we all know are the gods who have to be kept happy).
I have seen what you are talking about though but usually managers and supervisors who after a long period of time who don't do anything but just look busy will usually somewhere down the road get weeded out; usually but not always.