June 18, 2019 – Osasu Oviawe

It simply states that in a hierarchy, individuals tend to rise to their level of incompetence.

Put differently by Laurence J. Peter (the principle is named after him, based on his research) – “The cream rises until it sours.”

Little wonder, Warren Buffet once famously said – “You should invest in a business that even a fool can run, because someday a fool will.”

It is safe to assume that as you travel up hierarchies, incompetence increases. Interestingly, authority and responsibility for decision making also increases. This is probably why business cycles of boom and bust exist.

How do organisations manage the pitfalls of this principle? By listening to the level of highest competence (by engaging the Shopfloor), by reducing hierarchies and by 360 degrees relief programs.

The major characteristic of a boom is when leaders listen and are connected to the area with the highest competence.

The major characteristic of a bust is when leaders speak over and are disconnected from the areas with the highest competence.

The Peter Principle happens, and it can be managed.

– Osasu Oviawe

Matthew 5:43-48
“You have heard that it was said, `You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collecGive good, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”tors do the same?
And if you salute only your brethren, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?
You, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

Homily:

Give what you want to receive.

Do not let your giving be dependent on what you receive. It us contradictory.

Give love if you want love.

Do not give hate because you have received hate and claim to be someone that wants love. It is contradictory.

We give out of who we are. We are what we give.

Let your giving be independent of external stimuli, but aligned to internal purpose.

“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” – Luke 6:38

The passage from scripture is not conditional on whether what you give is good or bad.

So it can be, “Give good, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

And it can be, “Give bad, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

Choose wisely.