Many managers are interested in the question of how to organize a management system and relations at the enterprise, so that it allows to effectively conduct the production process. And there is such an instrument, this is subordination. In the article we consider what it is, its types and consequences of non-compliance.
What is subordination
The relations between the subordinate and the boss were regulated by the Russian Tsar Peter I, who issued in early December 1708 a “Personal Decree on Attitude to the Authorities”, which determined the rules of conduct for a person under subordination: “The subordinate in front of the boss should look dashing and silly, so that his understanding does not embarrass the authorities. " Now it is possible to perceive the postulate of this decree in different ways, but after more than three hundred years there are still such bosses that they understand it literally.
The word "subordination" comes from the Latin Subordinatio, which means submission, otherwise - the position of the individual in the system of relations.
This implies the content of this concept: subordination is following the rules of relationships established between persons with different hierarchical levels of society. Compliance with subordination is considered mandatory for the relationship "senior - junior" (in relation to rank or position) or "subordinate - boss."
Knowing what this concept is is as important as observing the conventions of business etiquette.
Why comply
Subordination is a system that determines the levels of subordination, ranked by a measure of responsibility, which is determined by temporarily vested powers or a permanent position.
Subordination is a type of regulation of relationships, which is the mechanism that allows the leader to achieve an initially defined goal - high results and high-quality work of subordinates. It allows you to achieve coordinated work of the team as a whole, the purpose of which is to fulfill a common task, precisely because it is a well-regulated system of business relations.
Everyone at his workplace should understand what he should do, with whom and on what issues to interact. In addition, it is important to understand who you need to ask and who has the right to ask yourself.
Only in such conditions can we guarantee that the team will be able to work clearly and correctly, like a clockwork. Violation of subordination, on the contrary, can lead to the opposite result.
Service subordination
If we consider a small organization, then one leader can be enough in it. But with the expansion and increase in staff, there is a need to create structural units with lower-level managers. This is where the concept of service subordination appears.
It establishes a system of official subordination, which provides for responsibility and accountability of a lower structure to that which is one level higher.
Subordination at work is all the more important the more management levels are between the highest and lowest levels of the hierarchical ladder. In some organizations, such a ladder may consist of a dozen steps, which cannot be called effective due to the large gap between the top management and ordinary employees.
Recently, there has been a tendency to reduce the length of the hierarchical ladder, which leads to a more complete participation in the process of work and management of ordinary members of the enterprise (industrial democracy).
Kinds
Since enterprises, as a rule, have a complex structure, subordination takes this into account and is established in two directions - vertical and horizontal.
The types of subordination are characterized as follows:
- Vertical. Establishes the rules of the relationship between the boss and the subordinate (from top to bottom) and between lower-level employees and management (from bottom to top). Such subordination implies, on the part of the employee, compulsory adherence to the orders of the head of the organization or structural unit, correct attitude, respect for the distance. Familiar or familiar relations, humorous remarks addressed to the boss, a categorical tone in communication are considered unacceptable. On the part of the leader, one should not share internal feelings or problems with subordinate employees, forgive negligent employees for lack of discipline and non-fulfillment, but it is also unacceptable to show contempt, arrogance and authoritarianism in communication.
- Horizontal Establishes a system of relationships between colleagues working in the same structure, as well as managers of the same level. In these relations, equal and partnership cooperation is permissible, which implies goodwill among colleagues and an equal distribution of responsibilities and workload.
What are the relationships regulated
If the company does not have rules establishing relations, this introduces confusion in the work process, so subordination, the value of which is difficult to overestimate, maintains order in this area. Each ordinary employee and the head of the unit must know who is reporting to whom, which of their colleagues can be contacted, and on what issue, who is subordinate to whom.
Subordination is governed by instructions issued by the company, orders and the organization’s charter. The following documents are also used to determine hierarchical service relationships:
- internal labor regulations;
- job descriptions;
- labor agreement between employee and employer;
- collective agreement.
In certain structures, for example, in the army, subordination is established by insignia - uniform, uniform. In small organizations, subordination is supported only by the authority of the leader.
Acquaintance of new team members with corporate rules occurs directly at the time of hiring at the time of discussion of their official duties and powers.
What is considered a violation and error
If there are rules, then there is always something that is considered a violation of them.
In the matter of subordination, the following actions are considered to be its violation:
- Authoritarianism in leadership - suppresses the initiative of employees, forcing them to blindly and thoughtlessly follow instructions. The staff ceases to take responsibility in decision making.
- Familiarity and familiarity - erases the line between the boss and subordinate, can lead to disrespect, lounging, causeless transfer of duties to other employees.
- Each manager has the right to make decisions, impose penalties or give tasks to ordinary employees only within his unit, area of responsibility and competence. It is unacceptable to resolve issues bypassing the immediate boss, which can lead to inconsistency and undermining authority.
Failure to comply with subordination leads to loss of discipline, inconsistency of actions, conflicts, violation of the rules of the enterprise, and failure to comply with management decisions.
