This was a phrase coined in 1969 by Dr. Laurence Peters – an educator who wrote a 100+ page satire called The Peter Principle (affiliate link) replete with fake data and everything. Apparently, it was a NY Times best seller for 1 year, and is still in print almost 50 years later. Enduring idea.
People get promoted to their highest level of incompetence
Absolutely true, absolutely frightening.
Logic might look like this
A promoted to job B, then promoted to job C. The skills, experiences, aptitudes to succeed at C are WAY different from A. Also, this “bro” may not be talented, eager, or adaptable enough to be good at all these things during the course of a career. So, he sits at job C, incompetent, perhaps a bit afraid, and certainly not adding value.
Sales example
Matt is sales wunderkind. A bit of lone wolf, not organized, but does (says) whatever is necessary to close the sale. Has been accused of over-promising to new clients, but makes great sales numbers. Gets promoted a few times. Now he is a the national sales director over all products, regions, and customers. Could be good, could be very bad.
And you may ask yourself. Well…How did I get here? – Once in a Lifetime, Talking Heads
We have all seen “Matts” in positions they should not be in. Folks who have strayed (been promoted) away from their greatest strengths and passions.
So what?
- Good to know this phrase – Most of your clients and partners will easily recognize it. Read / know your management literature, concepts, and history. Act beyond your years.
- Have a chuckle – eventually, you will run into incompetent people who have clearly been promoted too far. Way beyond their capability, ambition, and sometimes, self-awareness. We are not in the business of fixing people. Just have a good laugh (privately) and move on.
- Don’t be Peter – we all want a fast-track career and fast promotion. That said, be as good as you say you are. Perform at the next level, then push for the promotion. Be, Do, Say – in that order. Be so good they cannot ignore you. Do the right things. Then, and only then, Say.
- Manage your career – Easier said than done, but critical to discover, own, carve, define your own path. It is a gig-economy, so we definitely need to be flexible, open-minded, and adventurous. A career web, not a career ladder. Life is an S-curve, not a line.