Explain any five Henry Fayol’s principles of management.

Answer: Division of work, authority and responsibility, discipline, unity of command and unity of direction (any five of Fayol’s fourteen principles).

1. Division of work: Work should be divided into small tasks and each task given to a person according to his ability. This leads to specialisation, speed and efficiency.
2. Authority and responsibility: Authority is the right to give orders and responsibility is the obligation to perform. Both must go together and be balanced.
3. Discipline: Employees must obey rules and orders and respect agreements; managers must be fair. Discipline is needed for smooth working.
4. Unity of command: An employee should receive orders from only one superior. This avoids confusion and conflict.
5. Unity of direction: Activities having the same objective should be under one head and one plan (‘one head, one plan’).
6. Subordination of individual interest to general interest: The interest of the organisation must come before individual interest.
7. Esprit de corps: Team spirit and harmony should be developed; union is strength.