The Paula Principle

A thoughful analysis of how we can make the world of work fairer for women, for fans of Sheryl Sandberg.

Whereas The Peter Principle, a four-million-copy bestseller from the 1960s, argued that most (male) workers will inevitably be promoted to one level beyond their competence, Schuller shows how women today face the opposite scenario: their skills are being wasted as they work below their competence levels.

Schuller blends interviews and studies with examples drawn popular culture, and examines how attitudes have changed, from the advent of higher education for women in the 19th century to female dominance at all academic levels today. He also reveals how this has translated -- or failed to translate -- into the lived experiences of professional women, whether they are nursery workers, council employees, journalists, or oil company executives.

Engrossing and full of everyday insights into how gender impacts on working life, The Paula Principle is a well-reasoned analysis of the obstacles that many women face, and a call for us to challenge them on a personal, organizational, and societal level.