Mary Parker Follett: The Giving of Orders

Pat Ray M Dagapioso Xavier University

Mary Parker Follett

1868-1933 A visionary and a pioneering individual in the field of human relations, democratic organizations and management. Originator of the ideas that are cutting edge in organizational theory and public administration.

Mary Parker Follett

These ideas includes seeking win-win solutions, communitybased solutions, strength in human diversity, situational leadership, and a focus on a process.

The Giving of Orders

There is a need to reconcile the inherent conflict in an individual between resisting taking orders, arising from the natural animosity felt towards the boss, and the requirement to follow orders necessitated by a desire to retain ones employment.

The Giving of Orders

Giving orders present difficulties to the receiver of orders:
Demand an unquestioning obedience People being ordered around will not follow satisfactorily

The Giving of Orders

This is because people have formed habit patterns, action patterns and motor sets that predetermine a response to a request.

The Giving of Orders

In order to receive an appropriate response, a superior must:
A. build up certain attitudes B. provide the release of these attitudes C. augment the release of these attitudes

The Giving of Orders

Ways to give order: 1. Depersonalize 2. Replace orders by teaching the techniques of the job (training) 3. Give reasons with that order 4. All employess should know the purpose of the firm.

Folletts Contribution to Administration

Parker Folletts contributions are:
A. Constructive Conflict deals with conflict, compromise and dominance. Follett: The proper response to conflict is neither victory nor compromise but the integartion of both points of view. B. Role for labor collaboration and cooperation with labor were the only rational ways to run a business

 Parker Folletts contributions are:

Folletts Contribution to Administration

C. . Authority and the law of situation authority grew out of individuals knowledge and function in an organization, not in his/her place in the hierarchy. Law of situation is Folletts indirect method of management. D. Leadership and decision making a continuous process the growth of a decision is not the final step.

Thank You.