The Gervais Principle

The Gervais Principle is a way to understand workplace dynamics by categorizing employees into three groups: “Clueless” (managers who misjudge others’ motivations), “Losers” (mid-level workers who lack ambition and accept their roles), and “Savvy” (experienced employees who manipulate the system for their benefit). It suggests that managers often misunderstand their teams, and some employees use this to advance or protect themselves. Overall, it reveals how organizational behavior and personal motivations interact, often leading to inefficiencies and unspoken strategies within a workplace.