This article examines authority issues in the Indian context. It draws on the Transactional Analysis model to correlate authority and superior- subordinate relationship in Indian organizations. The article also attempts to highlight the impact of authority issues in the light of Indian culture on the work environment.

The first encounter that an Indian child has with authority is with the male patriarchal figureusually the father or grandfather. Often the dictum in any Indian family, keeping in line with the tough external male image (I emphasize external because inside we are really fragile and delicate), is `Spare the rod and spoil the child'. Even if physical beating is not resorted to, the focus is on strict external discipline, where softer emotions like love, affection, care, and tenderness are never ever to be displayed, as it is supposed that these would make the child's character weak. The best that is offered is a smile or a pat on the back as reward for `good' behavior. A child therefore spends his childhood seeking approval and trying to please the `authority', in the hope that he will be bestowed with a `reward'.

On the other hand, we have the standard stereotype of the Indian mother, who secretly tries to rectify the damages done by the `powers' that be, by showering care, tenderness and affection on him, quietly passing on money and other goodies to him (when the father is not looking), and weeps silently at the injustices wrought by the father or other male elders on her child.

The article focuses on authority as an extension of the `Parent' as understood in the concept of Transactional Analysis. According to Eric Berne, who postulated the concept of Transactional Analysis, the personality is divided into three Ego States - Parent, Adult and Child. The Parent consists of conditioning, learning and attitudes learnt from the voices of `authority' through our growing years. Our internal and emotional reaction to external events comes from the Child in us. The logical and rational responses to external events comes from the Adult.

Authority Issues: Implications in Indian Organizations, Transactional Analysis, organizations, Indian child, Indian family, love, affection, care, discipline, babies, emotional survival, smiles, nods, hugs, manager, adult behavior, community elders, collaborative, political processes, power, interpersonal rivalries.