1.  DISCIPLINE

The word discipline has many meanings, some more positive than others. Most managers who panic at the thought of administering discipline do so because they immediately zero in on the word’s negative associations. This limited view is unfortunate, particularly when we consider that the root of discipline is the Latin discipulus, which means “learner.” Hardly a negative! And entirely important to our understanding of discipline’s practical application in the workplace.

Because there is so much misunderstanding about this word’s meaning in an organizational context, let’s take a moment to review the dictionary definitions of discipline and to clarify just what workplace discipline is not.

The Dictionary Definitions

The basic definitions appear below (see Webster’s New World Dictionary, Third College Edition). The elements most significant to us are highlighted in bold italics.

Discipline is …

•   A branch of knowledge or learning

•   Training that develops self-control, character, or orderliness and efficiency

•   Strict control to enforce obedience

•   Self-control or orderly conduct

•   Acceptance of or submission to authority and control

•   A system of rules

•   Treatment that corrects or punishes

What Discipline Is Not

Of all the things discipline does not mean in the workplace, the following are the most important.

Discipline is not…

•   Chastisement

•   Embarrassment

•   Ridicule

•   Enforcement of a rigid chain of command

I cannot stress enough how such measures have no place in the organizational use of discipline. They create an environment in which it is virtually impossible for manager and employee to challenge each other for the betterment of all parties involved, including the department, work unit, and company. Moreover, they can lead into unproductive discussions, create a hostile environment, and cross the border into illegal action.

Remember: Never use discipline to chastise, embarrass, or ridicule people; and never use it to enforce a rigid chain of command. We want discipline to support a positive work environment, not to create a negative one.

What Discipline Is

Some of you familiar with discipline know there is a school of thought that discipline is not punishment. You will note I left it off of the list of what “discipline is not.” I did so for a reason. While discipline is not intended to punish, it can be viewed as such by employees, especially in the later stages of the process. Let’s face reality; termination is punishment no matter how you label or package it and despite your best efforts to present it in a professional matter. However, in the earlier stages, our goal is to correct issues of unacceptable behavior or performance. So, as used in this guidebook, and as should be understood in any workplace, discipline means behavior modification through constructive means, and more. Here is our working definition:

Always keep in mind that we want to use discipline to modify undesired behaviors before they become an issue. It is, in effect, an early notification system—a catalyst to manager-and-employee joint problem solving.