Question

Why is it crucial to balance authority and responsibility, according to Fayol's principle?

• A. To ensure managers work fewer hours.
• B. To prevent the misuse of power and ensure job effectiveness.
• C. To allow managers to delegate all tasks to subordinates.
• D. To primarily reduce organizational costs.

Answer 1

Answer:

B. To prevent the misuse of power and ensure job effectiveness.

It's crucial to balance authority and responsibility to prevent the misuse of power and ensure job effectiveness.

The Consequences of Imbalance

• More Authority than Responsibility: If a manager has power without being held accountable for the results, they might make reckless decisions or abuse their authority for personal gain. This lack of oversight can lead to a toxic work environment and poor organizational outcomes. It breeds a culture of irresponsibility and can frustrate employees.

• More Responsibility than Authority: On the other hand, if a manager is responsible for a task but lacks the authority to make the necessary decisions or command resources, they will be ineffective. They'll be held accountable for failure even though they were never given the tools to succeed. This imbalance leads to frustration, inefficiency, and a feeling of being set up for failure.

Fayol's principle emphasizes that these two concepts are like two sides of the same coin: they must go hand-in-hand. This ensures that a manager has the power to do their job and is motivated to use that power wisely and effectively because they are directly accountable for the results.