In 1968, teacher Laurence Peter coined the phrase and concept "The Peter Principle." Briefly stated, it reads, "In a hierarchy every employee tends to rise to their level of incompetence." Peter continued,"In time, every post tends to be occupied by an employee who is incompetent to carry out their duties" and added that "work is accomplished by those employees who have not yet reached their level of incompetence." Along with Raymond Hull, Peter authored a book on the subject in 1969. Though written with humorous intent, the book's principle took hold in certain college management programs, most notably the Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California. The game company Avalon Hill published The Peter Principle Game in the mid-1970s, demonstrating perhaps the widespread popularity and acceptance of the idea. This early 1980s version is made by a smaller firm, Animal Town Game Company. The basic principle still holds sway at some business schools.
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