Discipline means getting obedience to rules and regulations of the organization. Discipline is absolutely essential for the smooth running of business. Fayol, stated that discipline is obedience, application, energy and outward mark of respect. According to Webster’s Dictionary, the word discipline has three meanings “First, its is the training that corrects moulds , strengthens or perfects individual behavior. Second, it is control gained by enforcing obedience. The third meaning, it is punishment or chastisement.

Definition of Discipline

According to Dr. Spriegel, “Discipline is the force that prompts an individual or a group to observe the rules, regulations and procedures which are deemed to be necessary to the attainment of an objective; it is force or fear of force which restrain an individual or a group from doing things which are deemed to be destructive of group objectives. It is also the exercise of restraint or the enforcement of penalties for the violation of group regulations.”

Thus discipline can be regarded as a force that requires employees to follow the rules and regulations of an organization considered vital for its efficient working.

In brief, discipline is an employee’s self control which motivates him to comply with the organization’s goals and objectives.

Discipline is not rules, regulations, or punishment. It is not compliance, obedience, or enforcement. It is not rigid, boring, or always doing the same thing.

Discipline is not something others do to you. It is something you do for yourself. You can receive instruction or guidance from one or many sources, but the source of discipline is not external. It is internal.

Discipline is not obedience to someone else’s standards to avoid punishment. It is learning and applying intentional standards to achieve meaningful objectives.