The "Peter Principle."

Those of a certain age will remember a best selling 1969 book by Professor Laurence J. Peter, entitled, 

                   "The "Peter Principle."

In brief, it's a management concept that suggests that employees in a hierarchical organization will continue to be promoted, based upon performance in a previous postion, to their own level of incompetence.

We've all known somebody who was a rip-roaring _____, (fill in the blank).  But once promoted to the next level, proved to be a lousy _____.  Or a terrible ______.  Or an especially awful _______.  

And they usually languish in that position for the rest of their careers, stultifying the goals and objectives of those under them, until the day they get their gold watch.  A drain on organizational resources, and a source of inner rot.  Bad blood, rumors and hate.  Employees leave without leaving a reason why they left.  So no corrective measures are taken.  With lawsuits perhaps the next step.  

Especially today, when everyone has a cross to bear, and a chip on their shoulders.  And looking forward to suing the pants off somebody, just because they're pis*ed.  And 1,331,290  lawyers willing to take their cases.  They've discovered their education in basic life is lacking, posing a serious potential drain on the organization.  Poor performance, resulting in  depression.  It's like stomping on the brakes.  

I can give you a glimpse into my own life.  I was a terrific salesman, and was promoted to sales manager as a result.  But just because one can sell, does not mean one can manage the training and activities of those sales persons underneath them.  Many cannot.  And the organization will spend a lot of time and money correcting the problem.  

As it turned out, I could both sell and manage the activities of salesmen, so all worked out well.  Bullet dodged.  And I don't think I ever reached my own personal level of incompetence.  Because I've yet to be elected President of These Here United States.  Nomsayin?

Do you know anyone who has risen to their own level of incompetence?  Anyone who might have been promoted organizationally because of their class?  Or their race?  Or their status?  Or whom they know?  Someone who just happened to be at the right place at the right time, so a promotion occurred?  Anyone you've noticed that appears to unbiased eyes like they're in way over their head?  Can you think of anyone who just might have been escorted through law school, let's say, and eased through their jobs, let's say?  Which they may have gotten because of someone they knew?  Maybe someone they had a relationship with?  And then welcomed via the ballot box in friendly territory into one powerful position after another?  And continues to seek ever more power, seemingly unaware that they've already exceeded their own quite pedestrian limitations?  By a wide margin?  And a whole lot of people are witnessing it?

Remember what Clint said: "A man's got to know his own limitations."  

Or a woman...