Just in case you think I’m the one who invented the principle, I have to disclaim ownership, and gladly so. The Peter Principle was proclaimed by Dr Lawrence Peter, who said that in a hierarchy every employee tends to rise to his or her level of incompetence. If the principle is true, then there is plenty of incompetence around — in organisations, in businesses, yes, even in churches.
Dr Peter had observed in business particularly (he was a consultant to business as well as an academic) that there were many people who did a fine job at one stage of their career but when they were elevated to a higher position they were not able to cope. In fact, they became obviously incompetent at that higher level. His book titled The Peter Principle was published in 1969 and it has since sold over 6 million copies, which is an excellent response for any book. It is now such a well-accepted principle that it is listed in the dictionary: “The Peter Principle, the theory that in a hierarchy every employee tends to rise to a level just beyond his level of competence.”
That is the principle, and there are a lot of people in the business world who know exactly what you are talking about when you mention the Peter Principle. But what I’m concerned with is this: How does it apply to Christians, who have faith in God? How can we outperform the Peter Principle, and do we have a level of incompetence?
The number one way to outperform the Peter Principle is: Don’t believe it. Can you find a reference anywhere in God’s Word where it says that you will become incompetent? Not in my copy of the Bible. It’s a man-made principle. I think it was clever advertising to call it the Peter “Principle” in the first place. A principle is something that works every time it is applied. The Peter Principle does not work every time, for you can go into many businesses and organisations and find examples of people who have risen until they have reached the top position in the company but remain intensely competent. So the first thing is not to believe it, because there are many examples to show that the “principle” does not always work, therefore it is not a principle.
The second thing I want to say is that when the opportunity comes for you to rise to another level, whether it be in your regular employment, a part-time business you are operating or whatever, you can tap into God’s guidance. Guidance is always available. Perhaps God’s plan for your life does not include you being the Chief Executive Officer of the largest company in your field. Maybe God knows you have a better opportunity to fulfil your life’s dream in middle management or somewhere else in the corporate ladder, or perhaps even as a self-employed person.
Let me share with you this beautiful verse, “And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it,’ when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left” (Isaiah 30:21 ESV). God is saying that He will guide you at all times if you will listen. Just because somebody comes up to you and offers you a position at a higher level in the organisational structure, it does not mean you have to accept it. What you should do is to listen for God’s guidance. Not every job is going to suit you and you are not going to suit every job. I know a man who was out of work when someone offered him a job for a considerable salary but his guidance was not to take that job. When the company had difficulties later, he understood why.
The second way to outperform the Peter Principle is to recognise that God can guide you in your life’s career, as well as in everything else. You don’t have to rise to a level of incompetence, you can seek God’s guidance and say, “Okay, Father, do you really want me to have this job? Am I going to really fulfil my life’s purpose doing that, or should I stay where I am for a while if you have something better around the next corner?” God’s guidance is available and if we learn to walk by it, I believe we would always be at the level of our competence because we would be doing what God wants us to do. So listen to that “voice behind you”. Sometimes it might say to go a different road, for God has planned something far better for you.
The best way for a Christian to outperform the Peter Principle is to accept God’s competence for your life. There is a great example in the book of Exodus that I want to share with you. “Then Moses said to the people of Israel, ‘See, the Lord has called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah; and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, with intelligence, with knowledge, and with all craftsmanship…'” (Exodus 35:30-31). That is incredible! God placed within this person skill, ability, and knowledge. And not only that, “and has inspired him to teach others” (verse 34).
Remember, if you are a Christian, the Peter “Principle” doesn’t even apply to you!
Adapted from Chapter 3 of Outdo, Outwit & Outperform by Peter Wade
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