The "Clarke Principle"

You've probably heard of the Peter Principle:

The Peter Principle is a colloquial principle of hierarchiology, stated as "In a hierarchy every employee tends to rise to his level of incompetence." Formulated by Dr. Laurence J. Peter in his 1968 book The Peter Principle, the principle pertains to the level of competence of the human resources in a hierarchical organisation. The principle explains the upward, downward, and lateral movement of personnel within a hierarchically organised system of ranks.

[from wikipedia]

I'd like to propose the Clarke Principle:

In most organizations most employees are not allowed to rise to their level of competence.

It is sad, but it's true.

Is there another name for this?

Comments

[Steve Campbell]

Another name for this? "Life". All of us have obstacles to being the best we can be. We can seldom see them for what they are. If we each had a life-tutor, or an amazing mentor then it would be *so* much easier.

PS: I have personally experienced being the Peter in the Peter-principle. It sucked.

[Nat]

I think this is usually called "an MBA course".

Thanks to an MBA course, people can leap-frog the normal limits of the Peter Principle and go straight into management positions that they would otherwise have never been able to rise to.

[Graeme]

[A grain of salt may be required]

"Oppression". Exemplified in Monty Python's Holy Grail. The intelligent serf, when told to 'shut up' by the not so clever king, responded by yelling "Help, help, I'm being oppressed".

Managers that have been appointed, as opposed to trained (and there are many), feel they cannot afford to let it be known that their abilities/capabilities are less than that of the peons.

Within a management hierarchy it is quite simple, and possibly inevitable, for members of each tier to assume responsibility, and take the credit, for the achievements of those below them.

Is it driven egoism or fascism?

[Chris R]

I like it! A sort of reverse Peter principle.

Talking of names have you ever thought of calling your blog 'I, Ching'? It brings to mind consulting the oracle, which would fit with your role as a consultant.