Understanding the Peter Principle: What It Is and How to Recognize It
Especially in yourself
Samantha had always been a standout employee at her company. She worked hard and consistently exceeded expectations, and it wasn’t long before she was promoted to management. However, despite her best efforts, Samantha struggled in her new role.
She found it difficult to delegate tasks and often micromanaged her team, causing tension and frustration among her employees. Despite her problems, Samantha refused to ask for help or admit that she might not be cut out for the role.
She was simply used to always being the best in every work situation.
Eventually, her performance suffered and she ended up being fired. The news devastated Samantha, who felt like she had let everyone down and failed at her dream of becoming a successful manager. She scrambled to pick up the pieces and move on, feeling defeated and uncertain about her future.
Samantha was a classic case of the Peter Principle in action.
What is the Peter Principle?
The Peter Principle is a theory stating people in a hierarchy tend to rise to their “level of incompetence,” meaning they’re promoted until they reach a job they aren’t capable of doing well.
