Current Events — HabitableZone

Current Events » in reply to Seriously, why do idiots really rise to the top?

The "Peter Principle" offers an explanation..........
Publius — (archived)

The concept that in any organizational structure people tend to rise to their level of incompetency.

An example is a good carpenter receives recognition for his expertise; his boss gives him a raise and removes him for doing the work he demostrated excellence in, and makes him a foreman. Our example might be very good at handling lumber but lousy being a boss to other men. In this case he will not rise any higher in the organizational structure and will stay a foreman until he quits or is replaced. He has reached his level of incompetency.

If our example is a good foreman, he will not stay at that level. He will get another raise and become a superintendent. The senerio will continue until our example has risen above his abilities and is a position in which he is insecure, inept and probably acts very imperious to his subordinates.

Gee, this sounds very much like see every day in our board rooms, police departments, colleges, government administrations, etc.

Publius

Log in or register to post.

The whole thread (41 posts)