June 28, 2006
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Obedience
A conversation with my immediate supervisor this morning inspired me to write this post.
When your boss tells you to do something, do you ask the question: “Why am I supposed to do it?” Do you say “Unless I know the reasons and the consequences of it I am not going to be involved in it”? Why and why not?
When I simply do what my supervisor tells me to do, not knowing that what I am about to do is violating the codes according to the state board of professional engineer, should my supervisor’s license be revoked or should my license be revoked? Or should my supervisor’s supervisor’s license be revoked? Or my supervisor’s supervisor’s supervisor’s license be revoked? Or the Director of Public Work’s license be revoked? Where will it ends?
Obedience is simple. All machines are obedient. When I obey, it takes from me the burden of any responsibility. I just simply do what is being told. The responsibility rests with the source from where the order comes. In some way, I am very free. I cannot be condemned for my act.
If our nation, organizations, businesses, and family continue to run under the obedience paradigm, how can anybody learn to take responsibility for what anybody does? How can we be free to be creative without fear of being punished or let go? Or is this the decision of an individual? What do you suggest?
Comments (12)
I have to think about the Challenger disaster where people knew things were wrong, but choose not to speak up. If you can solve this organizational dysfunction then you could make millions.
If your boss order you to jump off the bridge … would you obedience follow it …
I work in a medical FDA regulate environment, so safety and FDA rules must be adhered no matter what. If an auditor found any serious violations, the business can be shutdown or millions of dollars in fines.
Obedience is an interesting thing. Hopefully you’ll do something not out of obedience, but because you hopefully KNOW it’s what is right.
Think about how the Nazi soldiers could have killed in the Holocaust. Did they really believe, or was it out of obedience? I know Milgram did a study of obedience–and his results present a rather tragic state of humanity.
obedience is ridiculous. Only do something if you realize its worth doing
as a (student) nurse i’d say its more individual….there r tonnes of documents & ethics to guide practice and i am ultimately responsible for my actions…
now i may obey if they’re paying me really really really well….they can buy my obedience;)
Trimtab. I love this post. Why? cause this is something i’m still learning about. I’m in an application frame of mind so please… tell me what you think.
Asian culture- kids listened to parents and never questioned. It was a sign of disrespect. Kids were to trust their parents because they were wiser and more experienced. Now, if you don’t question. There is no space for change. Things are stagnant and actions become outdated. Lots of friction and stress. Not good. So what did i do? I questioned everything. hahahha. And i think i owed it to my upbringing for my curiosity. They say that we choose the family that we are born into so that we learn the life lessons that we learn.
I also remember a time as a student in highschool where i question everything the teacher taught. It was good for a bit… but i questioned so much that nothing was taught. That can be counter-productive. When certain things have to be done, you’ve gotta just suck it up… why? Cause it’s not a class of one. We’re functioning and working as a team. And if everyone questioned before they acted, nothing would get done.
I do agree with you on one thing. In order for stuff to work we’ve got to lead by following and follow by leading.
There are many positions on a team. And they’ve all got a special purpose. I think that everyone’s talents should be used to its fullest potential. If you’re good at following… i say, get into that position of following. Life would be much easier for everyone. If you’re good at questioning, get into that position that involves being critical of things… and if there isn’t a position. Make one.
Third door: Get to that place where you can transform the whole structure. A paradigm shift is a magnificent thing to behold. *smiles*
I constantly get into arguments with my adviser b/c I question everything he tells me to do. It’s not that I doubt it, but I want to understand it. Bc when you understand it, and do it, you get this great gratifying feeling once you see the result coming it. But that’s in my line of work. I hate being a drone.
interesting post. hmmmm … somehow in nursing, it’s a different mindset though we still do fall for that obedience. in nursing, nurses are always told — do not assume. do not assume what you’ve been told is right or true. always follow up & check. do not assume that orders being passed should always be followed because in the end … it’s the nurse following orders who will be liable. managers can be questioned but this is a hard one.
but… what happens if you do this thing.. its wrong and your supervisor denys ever telling you to do it. I guess its a trust thing. If you trust those in authority over you… If I am out with my kids hiking a trail and I tell them not to move.. I expect them not to move.. not to stand and debate with me.. the snake that I see that they dont could harm them if they move.. They trust me.. so they dont move.
I quit a job once because what the boss asked me to do was lie to other emplyees to cover up her mistakes. I didnt trust her and lost all respect for her and the company.
good post Trimtab:)
Have a wonderful weekend with your family!
I sugest you have a great day, most no the differance between right and wrong!
I think obedience is always a choice. BUT, you never “must” obey. You must use judgement and reason. Sometimes lack of obedience can cost a great deal physically and materially, but the choice must be yours to make.
I agree with BelinaRising that obedience is a choice. It might be required by some authorities but it is our choice to obey to it or not.