Authority

Authority
/əˈTHôrədē/ noun

--the power or right to give orders, make decisions, and enforce obedience.

Managers must have the authority to give orders, but they must also keep in mind that with authority comes responsibility. It is not enough that a manager has authority and can delegate to employees what they can and can't do. They also must take responsibility for the choices they make and the actions they take. Since authority can be a double-edged sword, Fayol believed that managers must be individuals of strong moral character. They must be able to use their authority for the good of the organization and in the best interest of the employees. The Alumni Affairs director show a great example of what Fayol means. As the Shepherd University Alumni Association director, Alexis Reed, must conceive, direct, manage and implement a comprehensive alumni affairs programs. Someone once told me with promotion comes responsibility, so looking at Alexis Reed in this position, it tells me how much control and power Alexis Reed must acquire. This is an important and useful principle of management because if adequate authority is not delegated to the employees they cannot discharge their duties with efficiency and this in turn will hamper the achievement of the organizational goal. The hierarchy of authority in an organization is designed to benefit the company and the employees. The company grows with the strength of a competent managerial staff, and employees look to management to provide career development. Fayol's principle of management is this regard is that an efficient manager makes best possible use of his authority and does not escape from the responsibility. In other words when the authority is exercised the responsibility is automatically generated.