Peter Principle

American  

noun

1. any of several satirical “laws” concerning organizational structure, especially one that holds that people tend to be promoted until they reach their level of incompetence.

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Peter Principle British  

noun

1. the theory, usually taken facetiously, that all members in a hierarchy rise to their own level of incompetence

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Peter Principle Cultural  

1. A rule of organizations that states, “In a hierarchy, every employee tends to rise to his level of incompetence.” Formulated by Laurence J. Peter, this rule is supposed to explain occupational incompetence.

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Etymology

Origin of Peter Principle

From of a book of the same name (1969) by Laurence J. Peter (1919–90), Canadian educator

Example Sentences

The Peter Principle is: “In a hierarchy, every employee tends to rise to his level of incompetence.”

From Washington Post • Oct. 26, 2022

Lane Kiffin is the poster child for the Peter Principle, continually failing upward to his highest level of incompetence.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 13, 2019

Considering the track record of the two of them-failed mergers, inability to control press coverage of their relationship, failed business opportunities-I think Mary and Bill are more representative of "The Peter Principle."

From New York Times • Feb. 10, 2018

Mourinho has been afflicted with a version of the Peter Principle ever since he left Inter for Real Madrid.

From The Guardian • Jan. 5, 2018

Because whether you blame the Peter Principle or simply Murphy’s Law, at some point the pessimistic-leaning laws of nature are gonna catch up with you.

From The Verge • May 10, 2016