Discipline

 

DISCIPLINE

Discipline is essential for any successful work performance. Fayol considers discipline to mean obedience, respect for authority, and observance of established rules. A well-disciplined force is essential for improving the quality and quantity of the production. It is necessary to instill a disciplining program in any small business in order to move forward. At the Alumni affairs, the responsibility carried by the workers requires an efficient amount of discipline.  The employees at the Alumni Association carry their duties that have been given to them by their superior, with the attitude and behavior that what their managers are telling them to do is right. So, with this being said, it is vital that there be trust between the workers and the manager. For instance, throughout my internship, I have received many assignments that must be carried out in a discipline manner. I have been given the task to make two brand new brochures and also create a flyer for this upcoming event. The task is to be done in a specific amount of time. My job is to obey those rules and work my hardest in an efficient way.

According to Henry Fayol discipline means sincerity about the work and enterprise, carrying out orders and instructions of superiors and to have faith in the policies and programs of the business enterprise, in other sense, discipline in terms of obedience, application, energy and respect to superior. However, Fayol does not advocate warming, fines, suspension and dismissals of worker for maintaining discipline. These punishments are rarely awarded.

Interestingly, Fayol emphasizes discipline not merely as something the employee owes the management, but rather as something that “depends essentially on the worthiness of its leaders”, in other words on the respect employees have for their leader. He continues in describing the reasons for defects in employee and management relationships by stating: “the ill mostly results from the ineptitude of the leaders”. Respect for a leader increases with the leader possessing the appropriate qualifications for the position, i.e. with their perceived “worthiness” . The leader in any organization must be aware that creating an atmosphere of openness with clear lines of communication is a key factor in organizational success. People with good interpersonal skills deal with difficult issues straightforwardly, listen well, share information fully, and stay receptive to bad news as well as good. The leader of an organization must consider an action plan to develop these interpersonal skills with their staff. Doing so, this will aid the organization internally as it builds and maintain a relationship within.

 

In summary, when addressing the issue of clear leadership, Fayol describes something that comes naturally to us and is supported by, for example, Alfred Sloan. Sloan emphasizes the importance to determine and thereby define the precise functions of a firm’s divisions, as well as the necessity of unlimited responsibility of a chief executive.