Re: The Peter Principle (was: Summary of some boring ideas

mailto:Michael_O._Patterson@HUD.GOV
Wed, 4 Jun 1997 13:55:59 EST

Message-ID:  <9705048654.AA865455328@hudsmtphq.hud.gov>
Date:         Wed, 4 Jun 1997 13:55:59 EST
From: mailto:Michael_O._Patterson@HUD.GOV
Subject:      Re: The Peter Principle (was: Summary of some boring ideas
To: mailto:DEVEL-L@AMERICAN.EDU

> One of the criteria of choosing people in key positions was that they had
> to be quite foolish, at the limit of being able to do their work. The
> reason: such a man will never argue with his boss, and will do any
> foolish thing required from him, in order to save his position. In fact,
> he won#t even be able to judge what he is doing - he'll just do what he is
> told to do, with no bit of involvement.

Well said! This may also apply to the general public trend as well: those who are anxious for their immediate job, reputation, 'lifestyle,' etc., will never argue or judge in the context of longer-term consequences. --------------------------------- This is a direct result of not being mission-oriented. Mission oriented organizations don't play these games. Steven Covey among others has good books out on this.