ABSTRACT
The goal of discipline is to produce desirable behavior. It is considered an essential element of work that ensures overall productivity and an orderly environment. Discipline has numerous meanings and uses, but it tends to have negative connotations for many people. In its best context, discipline is considered positive and involves teaching, instruction, training and remediation. First-line supervisors should strive to create an environment in which self-discipline is rewarded and where imposed discipline is held to a minimum. To be effective, a supervisor needs to develop the ability to criticize the work the employee does, and not the employee. Once certain parameters for accepted behavior are internalized, they serve as a basis for self-control. Total Quality Management (TQM) empowers employees to create a positive, performance-oriented culture and employee commitment. Sergeants must recognize the needs of their subordinates in order to avoid job dissatisfaction, interpersonal conflicts, poor performance, negative discipline problems and high turnover.
