Directing People on the Job

What is an order?

An order is a specific message conveyed by a leader to a follower for the purpose of influencing
the follower to take desired action.

Either Verbal or Written

When to use Verbal Orders

1. When the order is simple and the message can be clearly heard.

2. When privacy is important.

3. when the follower is intelligent and reliable

4. When a demonstration is involved.

When to use Written Orders

1. When precise figures or complicated details are involved.

2. When orders must be passed on to someone else,

3. When the workers involved are slow to understand and forgetful

4. When you want to hold the receiver strictly accountable

5. When particular sequence must be followed exactly

6. When a notice board can be suitably used

7. When you are quoting general instructions on higher authority

8. When a record is desirable, perhaps the order need to be referred to in the future

Four Distinct Categories of Order

1. A request

Use Request from the People like:

a. Anyone who is interested in his work

b. Someone who welcomes responsibility
c. Someone who is interested in advancement
d. A group of experienced personnel good morale, or
e. Someone who is initiative
2. A suggestion

3. Asking for Volunteers

a. Jobs that are dangerous or disagreeable

b. For extra heavy work
c. For jobs that requires overtime
d. When you want a skilled worker to do a special unskilled job

4. A direct order or Command

a. In case of danger or extreme urgency

b. When haste is important
c. With lazy and indifferent workers, or chronic objectors
d. For careless workers
e. When all other methods have failed repeatedly

How to Phrase Orders Effectively

1. It should be Clear,
2. Complete
3. Concise, and
4. Acceptable