Instilling Discipline in the Workplace Employee discipline is a problem that every leader and every organization will experience at some point. As critical as the issue is, many leaders fail to adequately enforce the standards outlined by their organization. Otherwise, the organization may never reach its full potential and may create a climate that encourages inappropriate behavior. This is where strong leaders must commit to enforcing these standards at all costs. This short article will serve as a guide for leaders at all levels. Discipline Criteria There is a broad spectrum of actions that may qualify for disciplinary action within the work environment. They can range from insubordination and disrespect to criminal activity, such as: theft or fraud. Actions taken to punish offenders will show a concerted effort to promote discipline and assert the leader's influential power. “Workplace discipline, when applied consistently and fairly, reinforces established rules for workplace conduct and promotes employee morale. When workplace rules are clear, when they apply to everyone, and when they are applied consistently, employees know where they stand and how they are expected to behave. They are more likely to comply with workplace rules when they know they will be enforced, thus reducing the likelihood that disciplinary action will be necessary in the future.” (Strain, 2014) Applying Standards Strong moral character is an irreplaceable quality of an effective leader. How can you expect your subordinates to adhere to the standards if you don't follow them yourself? The moral image you represent will become the standard code of conduct that your employees must follow… middle of the paper… focusing on these issues may cause organizational leadership to shift their attention away from the critical tasks required. Until these issues are resolved, the organization will struggle to maintain its operational tempo and performance potential. Conclusion Organizational disciplinary standards are a direct catalyst for organizational potential. When discipline levels are high and punishable incidents are low, the organization has the potential to achieve maximum efficiency. The burden of enforcing these standards falls on appointed leaders, but it is the employee's responsibility to adhere to these standards. A disciplined employee's influence can extend beyond his or her skills and contribute to the company's success. While an undisciplined but highly skilled employee will have the opposite effect and become the anchor holding the organization back.