chain of command
Organizational authority structure
A chain of command is the hierarchy of authority in an organization, especially military or corporate, where orders flow downward and reports flow upward through successive levels.
Each person answers to someone above and may supervise those below: Going over your boss's head violates the chain of command.
The phrase emphasizes that proper channels exist for communication and decision-making.
- pecking orderSocial dominance arrangement
- rankPosition in hierarchy
- military rankArmed forces title
- sergeantMid-level military rank
- captainOne who commands
junior officer · hierarchy · orders · ladder · echelon · authority · pulling rank · top-down · delegation · reporting · officer corps · brass hats · yes sir · leadership · gradation · power structure · jurisdiction · obey
- military disciplinedemerits, saluting, discipline, drill, reveille
- Navy Careersnaval careers, navy personnel, enlisted ranks, naval ranks, officer corps
- Workplace Traditionsretirement party, gold watch, mentorship, apprenticeship, dress codes
- management theoryPeter principle, scientific management, Taylorism, kaizen, servant leadership
- employmentjob, jobs, career, careers, interview
- workplacehours, cubicle, desk job, holiday party, desk
chain of commandflat hierarchy
Organization with few levels
collective · cooperative · commune · co-op · adhocracy
chain of commanddemocracy
Rule by the people
consensus · direct democracy · self-governance · mob rule · democratic process
chain of commandchaos
Complete disorder and confusion
anarchy · disorganization · disorder · free-for-all · lawlessness
chain, command, chains, commanding, commander, commanded, chained, unchain, unchained