Peter Principle

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.

Peter Principle

noun

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

Peter Principle

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Peter Principle¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of Peter Principle¹

C20: from the book The Peter Principle (1969) by Dr. Lawrence J. Peter and Raymond Hull, in which the theory was originally propounded

Example Sentences

Hopefully, it’s not the Peter principle.

From Los Angeles Times

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

From Washington Post

Is this just the Star Wars version of the Peter Principle?

From The Verge

He starred in TV pilots, including “The Peter Principle” with Amy Adams in 2000, that weren’t picked up.

From Los Angeles Times

But what he really reveals about himself is that he’s a consummate organization man—both beneficiary and victim of the Peter principle.

From Slate