Self-Discipline: A Path to HR

Self-Discipline: A Path to HR

Written By: Dr.Gandham Sri Rama Krishna

Published in the Journal of HRD News Letter, Hyderabad, January, 2008,  Vol.23, Issue.10, Pp. 32-33.

Discipline is direction. It is a prevention before a problem arises. It is harnessing and channeling energy for great performance. Discipline is not something you do to others, but something you do for those you care about. It is an act of love. We need to learn from the nature. It is intangible. Discipline signifies orderliness, it does not mean a strict and technical observance of rigid rules and regulations. It is rooted in the psychology of the individual. Discipline is to be nurtured through education and training. Discipline is creation of awareness and formulation of right attitude. Disciple is time management, which helps in effective utilization of time. One of the important aspect of discipline is that it should be self-inculcated. Self-inculcated discipline is the best form of discipline. It does not call for any intervention, supports positive discipline and avoids negative discipline. A self-disciplined individual is more aware and contributes in the growth and development of self. He exploits his potential to the fullest and also saves on individual efforts.    

There are two aspects of discipline viz., positive and negative. First aspect  is ‘Positive Discipline’  is nothing but positive direction. Human resource believe in and support discipline and adhere to the rules, regulations and desired standards of behaviour. Positive discipline takes the form of positive support and reinforcement for approved actions and its aim is to help the individual in moulding his behaviour and developing him in a corrective and supportive manner.  

Second aspect is ‘Negative Discipline’. Human resource sometimes do not believe in and support discipline. As such, they do not adhere to rules, regulations and desired standard of behaviour. As such discipline programme forces and constrains the human resources to obey orders and function in accordance with set rules and regulations through warnings, penalties and other form of punishment.   

The main aim of discipline is to obtain a willing acceptance of rules and regulations of an organization in order to attain the organizational goals. Two different attitudes towards discipline are in action today- the autocratic and democratic. ‘Autocratic method’   of discipline is enforced by constant supervision by the superior and threats of punishment. The trouble with this type of discipline is that it does not take into account the desires of those commanded, it appeals only to the fear motives and not other positive motives and also requires constant supervision. The next method is ‘democratic method’ of discipline. It means as an orderly conduct of affairs by members if an organization who adhere to its regulations even if they desire a harmoniously cooperation within the group and hope that their reasonable wishes are accorded recognition to be brought to reasonable union with the requirements of group in action.

Self-Discipline in the Organizations

The best discipline is self-discipline. Obviously, if employees feel that the rules by which they are governed are reasonable, they will willingly observe them. Rules are respected not for fear of punishment but for their legitimacy. With the development of the human relations approach in industry, increasing attention is being given to employees as individuals. The human relations approach lay emphasis on developing sanctions from within, in contradiction to the traditional viewpoint which believes in controlling the employees from outside. According to the new approach a sense of responsibility is inculcated amongst the employees by means of increased participation, delegation and job enlargement.

            Discipline is required only when all other measures have failed. Management should ideally try to established what has been called ‘positive discipline,’ an atmosphere in which subordinates willingly abide by rules which they consider fair. In such an atmosphere the group may well exert social pressure on wrong-doers and reduce the need for negative discipline. While disciplinary actions involve penalties has dangerous implications, management must fully know when, why, how and to whom the disciplinary  action should be taken. Therefore, this action will gain its purpose with a minimum loss of employee good will. Even when the conduct of an employee deserve punishment, he accepts it with some amount of ill-feeling. However, to forgo punishment when it is due, is to invite trouble and to inflict punishment when it is not due,  is doubly dangerous.

            Many employees prefer an orderly atmosphere to work. If management does not deal effectively with those who violate rules, the disrespect for order will spread to the employees who would otherwise prefer to comply. HRM department people are not “axe men’. HRM department has a heavy responsibility to aid all executives in taking disciplinary action. 

Discipline makes a man in the society. If discipline were practiced in every home juvenile delinquency would be reduced by 95 percent. Discipline gives freedom. Discipline controls mind set and makes the mind set to think  on the right direction. 

            Now, where does this discipline start ? It starts at home. Parents must discipline their children first. It continues in schools and then colleges. When a man completes his education, then who is there to discipline him ? He has to discipline himself. It is known as self-discipline. 

Self-discipline always built character and personality. It helps in increasing effectiveness, efficiency and productivity. It is morale building and preparing the individual to meet upcoming challenges by instilling confidence in him. Imposed self-discipline hardly brings about the desired results. Self-discipline is a must for the success of any people. There are examples of people who have talent and ability but fails in achieving success; it is only due to lack of self-discipline.

            Self-discipline means following a code of conduct or observing some rules and regulations.  Discipline can take two forms, one form is external discipline. This entails following the laws of the land or some norms of a group or society. This type of discipline is imposed on the person, from outside. An individual is supposed to follow these rules and regulations. A violation of these rules generally invokes some kind of punitive action, while meticulously following the same, gives him some benefits.

            The other form of discipline is that which comes from within. The source of this is an individual’s conscience. In this context, an individual due to his high sense of ethics and morals feels the need for voluntary controls and discipline. He feels the need to control his body, his senses and the mind. He tries to conserve the energy within and focus it to achieve the higher spiritual goal. 

            The practice of self-control is often difficult and painful, but ultimately it gives the practitioner great joy. Only this type of self-discipline helps a man build his character and make his personality balanced and integrated. The kind of self-control cannot be achieved unless a man has a high and lofty spiritual goal. This type of individual has a deep concern for others and feels from within. It is a human resource duty to help his fellow beings overcome difficulty. This type of individual feels he should try his level best, to ensure that none of his fellow beings are a victim of poverty or misery. His own happiness depends on the happiness of others. The source of his motivation is the welfare of others. This aspiration of his is untarnished by any desire for reward or compensation.   

            Self-discipline does not kill joy but builds it. We know human resource  with talent and ability and yet they are unsuccessful. They are frustrated. And the same behaviour pattern affects their business, their health, and their relationships with others. They are dissatisfied and blame it on luck without realizing that many problems are caused by lack of self-discipline.

Reference:

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2. L.M.Prasad(2006), Human Resource Management, Sultan Chand & Sons, New Delhi.
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4. Swami Budhananda(2006), Will-Power and Its Development, Advaita Ashrama, Kolkata.
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