Are You Promoting People Into Failure?

In this episode, Josh Anderson and Bob Galen tackle the infamous Peter Principle — the idea that people are promoted until they hit their level of incompetence. But they go deeper than the theory, asking why it happens so often, how to recognize it in your organization, and what great leaders do differently.

Josh offers a spicy take: the Peter Principle is inevitable — and even necessary for growth. Bob pushes back hard, arguing that it’s often the result of lazy leadership and avoidance. What follows is a lively and honest conversation about promotion, failure, responsibility, and what it really means to lead people well.

Whether you're a leader making promotion decisions or someone who's been “Petered” yourself, this episode brings the clarity, candor, and coaching you didn’t know you needed.

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