Hierarchy Quote by Laurence J. Peter
“In most hierarchies, supercompetence is more objectionable than incompetence.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Peter Principle, 1969
In hierarchies, being overly competent can be more problematic than being merely incompetent.
In simple terms: Excess competence may cause issues.
Beware of over‑qualification effects.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- promotion decisions
- team assignments
- performance reviews
- career counseling
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you handle being over‑qualified?
- What strategies prevent competence from becoming a liability?
Over‑qualification can lead to boredom.