Compliance

Blind Loyalty to Authority

Many people in many organizations continue to suffer from blind loyalty to authority because of the conditions that force them to accept orders without inquiry. As a result, adapting one’s conduct to follow the rules set forth by those in authority becomes the norm. Compliance without questioning the necessity and wisdom of what is required of one, however, is risky and has far-reaching effects. In truth, it is regrettable and rarely benefits the victim, but it can damage a company’s reputation in the event of a lawsuit. Just as the situation with Louise Ogborn in the McDonald’s scenario, it is important to question, but the prevailing circumstances may prompt otherwise.

Vulnerability to Exploitation

One of the most unfortunate consequences of such unquestionable compliance is a person becoming vulnerable to exploitation. Indeed, it depicts a slavish mindset considering that a person ends up doing what “one is told” (Wolfson N. pag.). For instance, Ogborn ended up stripping just to conform to what the authority required her to do; she knew very well she was not the culprit, but the situation could not have allowed her to object. Another related impact of blind obedience to authority is being an easy target of humiliating ordeals; many of the instances that the victims experience are demeaning and insensitive. Above all, it paves the way for abuse considering that it increases exposure to psychotic pranks (Sancton 75).

Consequences of Excessive Subservience

The most obvious consequence of excessive subservience is becoming prone to humiliating acts. At times the ones in authority can take advantage of that and use people for personal gains. However, it is not everything that is negative; it is beneficial to comply at times fully. For instance, it is one way towards job security. Indeed, Ogborn notes that her primary motivation was to ensure that she did not lose her job. In this respect, compliance may act as a guarantee to remain at work since many bosses require slavish obedience although it depends on the workplace and circumstances.

Questioning the Prudence

To a significant degree, it is evident that with or without cruel enforcement from the ones in authority many people comply to the commands in a particular work environment without questioning the prudence of what their leaders require them to do. Even if the reasons may vary, there is one thing that is dominant in all settings; people feel comfortable to follow an order as long as it comes from an authority figure (Sancton 75). In this respect, since many individuals always join the work environment and find some predetermined rules, they often find it easier to comply than face the consequences of defying. In other words, they unreasonably follow the established standards.

Fear and Desperation

Another primary reason is fear. Although it may not be necessarily mean apprehending the authority, many people feel too much insecure when they work; they do not like to imagine a life without their work hence doing all that they can to avoid losing it. An evident scenario is the same involving Louise Ogborn since she could not afford to lose her $6.35-an-hour job (Wolfson N.pag.). As a result, she was determined even to remove all her clothes without questioning just to preserve her job. Indeed, it is an act of desperation, but it applies to many scenarios today.

Respect and Fear in Organizations

The issue of blind compliance to the authority is dominant in many organizations and appears to stem from two interdependent aspects. The first is the respect of authority figures while fear of losing a job comes second. Even if there might be other cases such as strict settings and the nature of a person, respect and fear override the rest. Unfortunately, they hamper access to the many benefits that an employee should enjoy all the time. For instance, fear hinders a cohesive interaction between the management and the employees. Also, it can demoralize many if they feel harassed.

Works Cited

Sancton, Julian. Milgram at McDonald’s. Bloomberg Businessweek. (2012): 74-75.

Wolfson, Andrew. ’Compliance’ re-creates McDonald’s strip-search ordeal.USA Today, 2012. Retrieved from https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/nation/story/2012-09- 01/Compliance-strip-search-hoax/57509182/1