Main content

The Peter Principle

Why promotion leads to incompetence

In 1969 a satirical book, The Peter Principle, suggested that promotion led to incompetence. Written by a Canadian Professor of Education, Dr Laurence J. Peter and playwright Raymond Hull, the book was a parody of management theory but it's core message struck a chord with many. It became an instant classic, selling millions of copies around the world. We present a rare archive recording of Dr Peter, explaining his theory that β€œIn a hierarchy every employee tends to rise to his level of incompetence".
Photo: Dr Laurence J. Peter on the ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ in 1974 (ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ)

Available now

9 minutes

Last on

Sat 18 Sep 2021 02:50GMT

Broadcasts

  • Fri 17 Sep 2021 07:50GMT
  • Fri 17 Sep 2021 11:50GMT
  • Fri 17 Sep 2021 17:50GMT
  • Sat 18 Sep 2021 02:50GMT

Podcast