Does it ever seem as though the level of incompetence in society is growing more and more by the day? Does it seem as though many people can’t do their jobs? Has anyone you know been unable to start a new job because HR forgot to file their paperwork? Have you ever encountered a supervisor who can’t manage his or her way out of a paper bag?
An interesting explanation for this phenomenon can be found in the classic management book ‘The Peter Principle’ by Laurence J. Peter and Raymond Hull. Although written in 1969, it reads as if it was published today. We will explore the Peter Principle in a series of upcoming blogs on this website in order to explain a variety of work environments.
According to Peter Principle:
- In a hierarchy, every employee tends to rise to his/her level of incompetence.
- People who are competent in one position are often promoted to a position where they are incompetent.
- In time, every post tends to be occupied by an employee who is incompetent to carry out its duties.
- Thus, in an organization, work is accomplished by those employees who have not yet reached their level of incompetence.
These principles are truly timeless. Furthermore, they provide a simple yet rarely mentioned explanation of why mediocrity appears to be the norm in certain organizations.
Richard Branson once said: “If somebody offers you an amazing opportunity but you are not sure you can do it, say yes – then learn how to do it later.”
Based on the explanations provided by the Peter Principle, should you take that opportunity? It’s always important to ask yourself if your skills are well-suited to benefit from the opportunity. If they are, then great, you should take it. However, if applying your skills to a certain position would be the equivalent of putting a square peg into a round hole, then probably not. According to the authors of the Peter Principle, displaying incompetence in a job could put your career at risk. On top of all that, taking a job for which you are not qualified could adversely affect your health. Common examples of chronic work-related stress include ulcers, colitis, constipation, obesity, as well as long-term fatigue that may arise when you work in a toxic environment.
The following article may provide further insight on this topic:
All of us here at Total Rebrand wish you the best in your future endeavors. Please remember to periodically check our websites for updates, new tools, and advice in helping you find the best job that will maximize both your wealth as well as your health. Happy job hunting!