The Peter principle is a concept in management developed by Laurence J. Peter which observes that people in a hierarchy tend to rise to "a level of respective incompetence": employees are promoted based on their success in previous jobs until they reach a level at which they are no longer competent, as skills in one job do not necessarily translate to another.[1][2]
The concept was explained in the 1969 book The Peter Principle (William Morrow and Company) by Laurence Peter and Raymond Hull.[3] Hull wrote the text, which was based on Peter's research. Peter and Hull intended the book to be satire,[4] but it became popular as it was seen to make a serious point about the shortcomings of how people are promoted within hierarchical organizations. The Peter principle has since been the subject of much commentary and research.
- ^ Flynn, Dan (November 8, 1980). "Peter of the incompetency principle speaks of presidents, now and soon". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). p. 2B.
- ^ Hayes, Adam (August 21, 2020). "Peter Principle: What You Need to Know". Investopedia. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
:1was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Barron, James (January 15, 1990). "Laurence J. Peter Is Dead at 70; His 'Principle' Satirized Business". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved November 26, 2019.