What is Unity of Command Principle?
The principle of unity of command states that an employee should always get instruction or command from one in charge at a time.
This principle of management aims to reduce the confusion of the employee when he receives instructions from many supervisors.
This principle believes that no one is capable of doing the task effectively when he/she has to work under the command of different bosses at a time. So the employees are.
The unity of command principle of management describes an employee who must get command from a single boss at a time.
When he has to get commands from and answer many bosses he might not work effectively.
Rather it gives conflict to him like whom to respond to first, whose boss task should do first, which task is important, which is not, and so forth.
In such a situation employees become confused and do not discharge work as effectively as they may discharge when given a single task.
It further leads to ego clashes between bosses as they also want their job to be done first.
But when the unity of command is ensured it gives enough time to understand employees how to appropriately conduct the given task, make their minds free from other tasks, and promote better understanding between boss and employees.
This further enables the effectiveness of the performance of employees.
Thus, it emphasizes that an employee should be responsible to only one boss at a time until the completion of a given task.
Only after the completion of the task, he will receive instruction from other bosses.
Advantages of Unity of Command Principle
The following are the notable advantages of the unity of command principle in the organization.
Reduces Role Confusion Among Employees
When employees report to only one supervisor, it eliminates ambiguity regarding their tasks and responsibilities.
This clarity ensures they focus on their duties without conflicting instructions.
Improves Employee Performance and Organizational Productivity
Clear guidance from a single authority enhances individual performance, as employees understand expectations better.
This collective improvement boosts overall organizational productivity.
Strengthens Boss-Employee Relationships
Direct communication and accountability to one supervisor foster trust and mutual respect between managers and their subordinates, improving workplace harmony.
Promotes Efficient Achievement of Goals
The principle aligns employees’ efforts under unified instructions, reducing duplication of work and ensuring streamlined progress toward organizational objectives.
Ensures Clear-Cut Responsibility
Assigning each employee to one supervisor simplifies accountability.
It becomes easier to monitor performance and address issues without confusion or overlap in responsibilities.
Read More: Authority & Responsibility Principle
Results of Avoiding Unity of Command Principle
The following could be the consequences of avoiding the unity of command principle in the organization.
Role Confusion
Without clear reporting lines, employees may struggle to prioritize tasks and decide which instructions to follow first.
This confusion leads to inefficiencies and delays in work completion.
Increased Stress and Work Burden
Receiving conflicting instructions from multiple supervisors can overwhelm employees, causing stress and a sense of being overburdened, ultimately impacting their morale and well-being.
Reduced Performance
Lack of clarity and constant pressure can lead to mistakes, decreased focus, and lower productivity, affecting both individual and organizational performance.
Hindered Achievement of Goals
Confusion and inefficiencies make it difficult to complete tasks on time and within allocated resources, preventing the organization from achieving its objectives effectively.
Read Next: Discipline Principle of Management
Joshep Mahesh holds Bachelor in Management (BiM) Degree. He loves to share his business knowledge in his free time.