Peter principle
Promotion breeds incompetence
The Peter principle is the observation that people in hierarchies tend to rise to their level of incompetence.
Someone who performs well gets promoted, and keeps getting promoted until reaching a position where they no longer excel—where they remain: He's a classic case of the Peter principle, a brilliant engineer who became a terrible manager.
Named for Laurence J.
Peter, who formulated it in 1969.
Lack of ability
- unqualifiedLacking required credentials
- incapableLacking requisite ability
- deficientHaving too little
- ineffectiveLacking power to achieve
unskilled · underperforming · inadequate · mediocrity · bungling · mismanagement · poor judgment · skill gap
Forward movement or promotion
- upward mobilityRising social or economic status
- riseMove to higher position
- progressionSequential forward movement
- elevationHeight above reference point
ladder climbing · succession · preferment · appointment · ambition · ascent · breakthrough
Arrangement of roles and reporting
- chain of commandFormal authority hierarchy
- bureaucracyRigid administrative system
- seniorityRank from length of service
- corporate ladderOrganizational rank structure
echelons · stratification · middle management · org chart · supervisory roles
Principles for running organizations
- selection biasUnrepresentative sample causing errors
Lack of job advancement
- stuckUnable to move
- disengagementWithdrawal from involvement
- demotivationLoss of drive
- lateral movePosition change, same rank
ineptitude
Lack of ability
- unqualifiedLacking required credentials
- incapableLacking requisite ability
- deficientHaving too little
ineffective · unskilled · underperforming · inadequate · mediocrity · bungling · mismanagement · poor judgment · skill gap · overwhelmed
advancement
Forward movement or promotion
- upward mobilityRising social or economic status
- riseMove to higher position
- progressionSequential forward movement
elevation · ladder climbing · succession · preferment · appointment · ambition · ascent · breakthrough
organizational structure
Arrangement of roles and reporting
- chain of commandFormal authority hierarchy
- bureaucracyRigid administrative system
- seniorityRank from length of service
corporate ladder · echelons · stratification · middle management · org chart · supervisory roles
management theory
Principles for running organizations
- selection biasUnrepresentative sample causing errors
career stagnation
Lack of job advancement
- stuckUnable to move
- disengagementWithdrawal from involvement
- demotivationLoss of drive
- theories & lawssupply and demand, law of demand, law of supply, Parkinson's law, 80-20 rule
- management theoryscientific management, Taylorism, kaizen, servant leadership, change management
Peter principlemeritocracy
Advancement through demonstrated ability
talent management · lateral transfer · succession planning · talent pipeline · lateral movement