Promoting based on performance often leads to incompetent managers.
Technical specialist tracks offer an alternative to the Peter Principle dilemma.
Deep dives
The Peter Principle: How Promoting Top Performers Can Lead to Inadequate Managers
Promoting employees based on past performance motivates workers, offering a strong incentive system cheaper than pay raises. Research found that doubling worker sales increased chances of promotion by 30%. However, top salespersons often struggle as managers, leading to a decline in team performance. Firms aware of this still promote high performers, prioritizing motivation over managerial success.
Management Challenges: Identifying and Nurturing Successful Managers
Identifying competent managers remains challenging as success in individual contributor (IC) roles doesn't always translate to managerial success. Research reveals a firm's selection of managers based on current job performance often leads to the Peter Principle, where great salespeople struggle as managers. Recognizing these challenges, some firms offer dual career tracks avoiding managerial roles for technical experts.
Personal Satisfaction and Career Realignment: The Case of Katie Johnson
Katie Johnson's career journey highlights the importance of aligning job roles with personal satisfaction. Transitioning from a manager to a data scientist, Johnson's happiness level shifted from a 5-6 to a 9.5, with increased pay as a data scientist. Her experience underscores the significance of fulfilling work alignment over hierarchical status, showcasing the value of technical expertise outside managerial positions.
Seeking Effective Management Models and Career Paths
Exploring alternative career paths like technical specialist tracks offers a solution to the Peter Principle dilemma, where managerial promotions may not align with individual strengths. Research emphasizes the need to reward technical experts and include them in high-level conversations, addressing potential status loss concerns. Firms can benefit from diversifying career tracks to optimize employee satisfaction and performance.
People who are good at their jobs routinely get promoted into bigger jobs they’re bad at. We explain why firms keep producing incompetent managers — and why that’s unlikely to change.
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