How is a general guideline different from a rigid order?

Correct answer: It gives a rigid order for every step

The governing concept is the distinction between guidance and rigid prescription. A general management principle indicates a desirable direction or consideration, but it does not specify every movement, sequence or response in advance. The manager must use judgement while applying it. Therefore option C is correct because a rigid order for every step is the opposite of a general guideline and describes a mechanical rule. Options A, B and D are all compatible with a guideline: it requires judgement, supplies broad direction and supports decisions. The question asks what it is different from, so the rigid-order description is the contrasting feature, not a feature of the principle itself.