https://marco.org/2009/05/09/the-corollary-to-this-a-people-theory-is-one-my
The corollary to this “A People” theory is one my boss envisioned: The Corporate Concentric Asshole Theory. In it, the guy at the very top of the company, through his hirings, eventually hires an asshole. … That asshole, knowing that he’s an asshole, but not wanting to appear as such, hires a bigger asshole. That asshole, probably unaware of his assholishness, hires an even bigger asshole, most likely because he likes the cut of his jib, or “reminds him of when he was younger”. And so it goes.
Eventually, the A guy cashes in and retires, and the company is left with nothing but assholes who haven’t a clue about anything but getting their asshole cleaned.