The Peter Principle: Why Things Always Go Wrong

Dr. Laurence J Peter & Raymond Hull

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“The Peter Principle has cosmic implications.”
—New York Times

Back in 1969, Lawrence J. Peter created a cultural phenomenon  with his brilliant, outrageous, hilarious, and all-too-true treatise on business and life, The Peter Principle—and his words and theories are as true today as they were then. By posing—and answering—the eternal question, “Why do things always go wrong?” Peter explores the incompetence that runs so rampant through our society, our workplace, and our world in an outrageously funny yet honest and eye-opening manner. With a new foreword by Robert I. Sutton, bestselling author of The No Asshole Rule, this twenty-first century edition of Peter’s classic is set to shake up the business world all over again.

What will you learn from this book

  1. Level of Incompetence: The central premise of the book is the Peter Principle itself, which states that in a hierarchical organization, individuals will be promoted to a position where they are no longer competent.

  2. Hierarchical Structures: The book discusses the inherent challenges and limitations of hierarchical organizational structures, where people often advance until they reach a position where they are no longer effective.

  3. Promotion Criteria: The criteria for promotion are often based on current performance rather than the ability to handle the responsibilities of the new role. The book explores the consequences of this approach.

  4. Inefficiency and Dysfunction: As people reach their level of incompetence, the organization may become inefficient and dysfunctional. The book humorously explores the potential consequences of this phenomenon.

  5. Office Politics: The Peter Principle touches on the role of office politics in promotions and how personal relationships or factors other than competence can influence career advancement.

  6. Satirical Tone: Dr. Laurence J. Peter and Raymond Hull present their ideas in a satirical and humorous manner, making the book an engaging and entertaining read despite its serious underlying message.

  7. Management Reflection: The book encourages reflection on management practices and the potential need for a reevaluation of promotion and organizational structure strategies.

  8. Career Development: Readers may find insights into the challenges of career development and the potential pitfalls of continuously seeking advancement without considering one's core competencies.

  9. Self-awareness: The Peter Principle encourages individuals to be aware of their strengths and limitations and to recognize when they may have reached a level where further promotion may not be beneficial.

  10. Organizational Learning: The book may prompt organizations to consider how they can learn from the Peter Principle to develop better practices for talent management, succession planning, and leadership development.

Language English
ISBN-10 0688275443
ISBN-13 9780688275440
No of pages 192
Font Size Medium
Book Publisher Harper Perennial
Published Date 19 Aug 1998

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