The idea that people who are incompetent at higher ranks were, in fact, competent at lower ranks seems to fall apart at first contact with reality. Combined wit

The idea that people who are incompetent at higher ranks were, in fact, competent at lower ranks seems to fall apart at first contact with reality. Combined with the notion that people arrive at a place where they are incompetent but otherwise well-intentioned or benign, it makes the peter principle look almost wishful/fantastical. In order to understand actually existing organisations, you are probably going to be much better served by the MacLeod Hierarchy/Gervais principle: https://www.ribbonfarm.com/2009/10/07/the-gervais-principle-or-the-office-according-to-the-office/ https://www.ribbonfarm.com/2009/10/07/the-gervais-principle-... Peter is basically describing the clueless in this setup.