Why Things Always Go Wrong The Peter Principle Book Review

Why Things Always Go Wrong

THE PETER PRINCIPLE

Book Review 

By

VIKRAM KARVE

 

The Book: The Peter Principle 

Authors: Dr. Laurence J. Peter and Raymond Hull

Published: 1969 William Morrow

 

I think there is a Chinese saying:

It is a misfortune to read a good book too early in life. 

I think I read ‘The Peter Principle’ too early in life.

At that point of time – I was of an impressionable age – and – the book influenced me so much – that I “rose” to my level of incompetence pretty fast – either unintentionally – or by subconscious design.

 

I read ‘The Peter Principle’ in the early 1970s – maybe sometime in 1972 – when I was studying for my B. Tech. degree in Engineering.

I even bought a personal copy of the book in 1974 (which I possess till this day) – and – considering my financial status as a student those days –buying a personal copy of ‘The Peter Principle’ – a book I had already read many times – was quite remarkable.

 

The book – written by Laurence J. Peter – in collaboration with Raymond Hull – is a management classic and masterpiece in the study of hierarchiology.

It is so fascinating, riveting and hilarious – that – once you start reading the book – it’s unputdownable.

 

In the first chapter itself – giving illustrative examples – the author establishes the Peter Principle:

In a hierarchy every employee tends to rise to his level of incompetence 

and – its corollary:

In time – every post tends to be occupied by an employee who is incompetent

 

Dr. Peter writes in racy fictional style – and as you read – you experience a sense of verisimilitude – and in your mind’s eye can see the Peter Principle operating in your very own organization. 

That’s the way to savor the book and to truly understand and imbibe the spirit of The Peter Principle – read an illustrative “case study” in the book – and relate it to a parallel example in your organization.

 

The author discusses cases which appear to be exceptions like percussive sublimation, lateral arabesque etc and demonstrates that the apparent exceptions are not exceptions. 

The Peter Principle applies to all hierarchies.

 

Discussing the comparative merits and demerits of applying ‘Pull’ versus ‘Push’ for getting promotion – Dr. Peter concludes: 

Never Stand when you can Sit – Never Walk when you can Ride – Never Push when you can Pull.

 

He then tells us how to recognize that one has reached one’s state of incompetence (final placement syndrome) – and – should one have already risen to one’s state of incompetence – he suggests ways of attaining health and happiness in this state at zero promotion quotient.

 

Towards the end of his book he illustrates how to avoid reaching the state of incompetence by practicing various techniques of Creative Incompetence. 

I probably practiced Creative Incompetence quite competently – and hopefully – I am still at my level of competence...!!!

 

In conclusion Dr. Peter tries to briefly explore remedies to avoiding life-incompetence which he has elaborated in his follow up book ‘The Peter Prescription’ which is a must-read once you are hooked onto The Peter Principle.

 

The Peter Principle is a compelling book – written 47 years ago in 1969.

Today – with the flattening of hierarchy – and the advent of flexible organizational structures and HR practices – it would indeed be worthwhile for young and budding managers to read this book and to see to what extent the Peter Principle applies and is relevant in today’s world.    

Dear Reader: Do read The Peter Principle.

Then look around you in your workplace. 

Do you see the Peter Principle in operation...?

And next – you must read THE PETER PRESCRIPTION 

Of course – I will post the book review of ‘The Peter Prescription’ right here in my blog. 

VIKRAM KARVE

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This is an updated version of my book review of THE PETER PRINCIPLE written more than 30 years ago in 1986 and various versions posted online earlier at urls: http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2010/07/how-to-remain-creative-and-competent.html and http://creative.sulekha.com/book-review-the-peter-prescription-the-peter-principle-by-vikram-karve_169356_blog  and  http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2012/02/peter-principle-book-review.html  etc