Review of The Peter Principle: Why Things Always Go Wrong

I’ve just finished reading a funny (as in humorous) book from the Business section of the library. Not a place I would normally expect to look for a laugh! It is titled “The Peter Principle”, written by Peter & Hull. (658 PET) The Principle is:

In a Hierarchy Every Employee Tends to Rise to His Level of Incompetence

As employees we move from one level of competence to the next which means we are eligible for another promotion. Finally we reach a level a level where we can’t do the job required and that is where we stay. Fortunately for most organizations there are always some people still at their level of competence so work gets done.

The authors give lots of examples of the Principle in action but warn of the health problems when you reach your level of incompetence eg high blood pressure, insomnia, peptic ulcers.

They also give some strategies for employees to avoid reaching this level and remaining at their level of competence as promotion is very difficult to refuse. To avoid ever being offered a promotion you need to develop Creative Incompetence. This involves displaying minor eccentric behaviour or appearance:

“Overly strong perfume and overly brilliant jewelry work well in many cases” (p.146)

“…refusing contributions to collections for wedding and retirement gifts:…” (p.145)

This book was published in 1969 but still has enough relevance to today to recognize our organizations and maybe even ourselves. Great fun!