THE ART OF

GIVING ORDER
RIGIE ANNE S. GOZON
MPA - 1ST YEAR
OBJECTIVES To know the steps in issuing orders

The ranges of responses to Managerial

Orders
Steps in Issuing Orders or Instructions
What needs to be done
This is usually the starting point: provide an outline of what needs to be
done and by when. This what most people know as giving instructions,
but there’s more to it.

The company/management benefit

Explaining the company/management benefit, briefly, provides context. It
helps the person understand why the work is being done. And as we know
from Simon Sinek, why is a powerful motivator.
The personal benefit
But don’t stop at the management benefit. Give a little thought to the personal benefit, help
the person understand how the work is going to benefit them too. It will help them find
purpose in the work.

The process
Don’t just specify the ‘delivery date’. Give the person clarity regarding the process you’re
expecting, leading up to that date. This give them confidence that they’re meeting your
expectations, not just in terms of the deliverable, but also including the ways of working
together. If the instructions you’re giving are for a larger project, consider running a premortem
too, it’s a great way to secure success before you start work.

What success looks like

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, tell them what success will look like. This is so
obvious, but so often forgotten. Not just ‘give me a detailed presentation’, that’s describing
the presentation. Help them understand the impact that you want the work to have. Give
them clear criteria for success.
One last benefit
Thinking through these 5 steps helps you too.

For example, clarifying the process not only helps the

person doing the work, it gives you the level of oversight
that is appropriate to your needs. And defining success is a
quick exercise that helps you clarify in your own mind how
you’re going to evaluate the outcomes.
THE ART OF
GIVING ORDER
RIGIE ANNE S. GOZON
MPA - 1ST YEAR
The Art of War
Managers And The Art Of Giving Instructions

What is the moral of the story?

Managers And The Art Of Giving Instructions

Sun Tzu was a Chinese general and master strategist during 500 BC. His book,
The Art of War, is one of the most respected treatises on strategy and
compulsory reading for senior staff officers of most armed forces in the world.
As we know, the business world has adopted a lot from the military on strategy,
logistics, management, and operations from World War II onwards. So, this 13-
chapter gem, only about 10,000 words, is a recommended reading for advanced
management courses on strategy.

The book includes a story that has a good lesson for managers about giving
instructions.
Managers And The Art Of Giving Instructions

The moral of the story for managers is simple. It is your responsibility to make
sure your instructions are clear and understood. If not, it is your fault. If they are
clear, then the employees are accountable.

Telling people what you want them to do seems a very simple and elementary
skill, but it is surprising to see even experienced managers giving ambiguous
and ineffective instructions that snowball into major crises.
Managers And The Art Of Giving Instructions

You may be thinking that instructions are usually given to the inexperienced or
trainees but that is not always the case. Highly competent and skilled
professionals also need proper instructions for the successful execution of
critical, high-value tasks.

Overall, positive communication and listening are essential when giving and
taking instructions. For some jobs, following step-by-step directions is pertinent,
but in the case of working in an office, warehouse, restaurant, etc., learning how
to provide direction properly and knowing how to take direction make for a
smoother and more productive work environment.
The Ranges of Responses to Managerial Orders
Wait to respond:
If you can, delay responding to the request until you've had time to
consider its context and get clarity. Answering quickly, without all the
information, can lead to a misunderstanding of what may be a simple
request, so be sure to evaluate the situation and ask your superior
relevant questions before you respond.

Determine how to respond:

Decide how you want to respond to your superior's request, such as
responding in the same way you received the request, which can show
mutual respect and professionalism. For example, if your manager made
the request in person, schedule a time to meet privately to give them your
response.
Explain concerns you have:
If the request makes you uneasy or you're not sure you can handle it, explain your concerns
and reasons to your superior. Discussing why you have reservations about saying yes may
give your manager the opportunity to clarify or further explain their request.

Consider the team:

It's helpful to consider the consequences of your response and how it may affect your
team. For example, your manager may ask you to handle a task because you're the most
qualified in the office, and if you turn down the request, your superior may have to find
someone else who may not be as qualified, which can affect the outcome of the task.

Offer an alternative:
You may feel someone else may be more skilled or have more knowledge that can be
beneficial to completing your superior's request. Offering them an alternative helps your
manager assign the task to an appropriate team member without creating potential stress
for you.
Document the request:
If you feel your superior's request might be unethical or fall outside company policy, you
can document it so you can bring your concern to your human resources department.
Making notes on the request, when your manager made it and if there have been other
instances of similar requests, may be important for HR to take action where appropriate.
REFERENCES https://www.toppr.com/ask/question/which-of-the-following-
function-of-management-starts-issuing-orders-and-
instructions-to-subordinates-and/

https://www.skillpacks.com/giving-instructions-to-your-
team/

https://elearningindustry.com/giving-instructions-101-for-
managers-and-trainers

https://thinkx.net/blog/5-steps-to-giving-and-following-
instructions-in-the-workplace

https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-
development/how-to-respond-when-boss-asks-you-to-do-
something
THANK
YOU