The Third Principle- Competent Counsel

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 The next of Harrington Emerson’s principles of efficiency comes under the heading ‘competent counsel’. In order for the application of any of the other 11 principles to be a success, competent counsel is essential. Emerson shared his knowledge of the fact that with the correct management of labour efficiency and productivity, one could see great results with little costs. However, if competent counsel is unable to be put into practice successfully, there must be a flaw somewhere else within the organisation. 

In order to obtain maximum efficiency, there needs to be people working in the firm whose role is to maintain a certain level of control. Whether this be over individuals or larger groups, this person would require the same qualities and develop the same efficiency organisation scheme from top to bottom. Within these different groups he believes there should be a leader appointed for organisational management, and each leader is subject to the direction of the efficiency leader above them. 

The main role of this ‘efficiency leader’ would initially be to determine the main goals and ideals of the people they are managing. They need to create a standard for people to stick to. The leader employing these is preventing loss and greater failure in the future. Many of these leaders today must not only carry out their own duties but see that the inexperienced workers ‘do not cause more trouble than they cure’. 

In Emerson’s book, he speaks about the fact that we need this sort of role so that we are not following advice and knowledge from years ago, and that we are constantly finding new people of the highest calibre who can adapt to maximise productivity within a firm. 


-Alana

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