Peter Principle
noun
: an observation: in a hierarchy employees tend to rise to the level of their incompetence
Examples of Peter Principle in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Promoting the wrong person is a predictable workplace trap—it’s called the Peter Principle.
—
Jason Walker Psyd, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025
And now, these two reputational Ponzi schemes have crashed into the Peter Principle.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Apr. 2025
Of course, some may be promoted beyond their level of competence, illustrating the Peter Principle.
—Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025
In fact, this exact effect is part of the reason that so many Soviet-style autocrats—the kind Trump so admires— eventually fail: governments that run on political subservience get dragged down by the Peter Principle, like a sea monster sucking its victim into the icy depths.
—Matt Robison, Newsweek, 20 Nov. 2024
There’s a concept in business called the Peter Principle.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 16 Sep. 2024
Either America, the cradle of modern marketing, is suddenly full of untalented CMOs who are embodying the Peter Principle, or something bigger is indeed at play.
—Scott Turner, Forbes, 29 June 2022
The Peter Principle was in full effect with everything that could go wrong, going wrong.
—Sam Boyer, cleveland, 26 Sep. 2021
Most of you have probably heard of the Peter Principle, a management concept developed by Laurence Peter.
—Harvey MacKay, Star Tribune, 9 May 2021
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Jason Walker Psyd, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025
And now, these two reputational Ponzi schemes have crashed into the Peter Principle.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Apr. 2025
Of course, some may be promoted beyond their level of competence, illustrating the Peter Principle.
—Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025
In fact, this exact effect is part of the reason that so many Soviet-style autocrats—the kind Trump so admires— eventually fail: governments that run on political subservience get dragged down by the Peter Principle, like a sea monster sucking its victim into the icy depths.
—Matt Robison, Newsweek, 20 Nov. 2024
There’s a concept in business called the Peter Principle.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 16 Sep. 2024
Either America, the cradle of modern marketing, is suddenly full of untalented CMOs who are embodying the Peter Principle, or something bigger is indeed at play.
—Scott Turner, Forbes, 29 June 2022
The Peter Principle was in full effect with everything that could go wrong, going wrong.
—Sam Boyer, cleveland, 26 Sep. 2021
Most of you have probably heard of the Peter Principle, a management concept developed by Laurence Peter.
—Harvey MacKay, Star Tribune, 9 May 2021
Cite this Entry
“Peter Principle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Peter%20Principle. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.
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