NATURES OF

DIRECTING
 DIRECTING
• Directing is one of the most important functions of management. Without the
direction provided to the employees, the workforce would be clueless about
which path to follow.
 Meaning of Direction
• Directing can be defined as that function of management, which helps in
guiding and leading people to work in such a manner so as to perform
efficiently and effectively for the attainment of organizational objectives.
Directing is the managerial function, which initiates organized action.
• It is one of the most important fundamental functions of management and is
a part of every managerial action taken because the direction is primarily
concerned towards various other function of management like
leadership, motivation, and communication.
 ELEMENTS OR
TECHNIQUES OF
DIRECTION
1. Issuing Orders and Instructions
to Subordinates
• The first element of direction is to issue orders and instructions which are
considered an essential step in the process of directing subordinates. Order is a
fundamental tool for getting things done. Therefore, the orders and instructions
reflect managerial decisions and initiate action on the part of subordinates.
Orders may be general or specific, formal or informal, written or oral.
• Thus an order should serve the following characteristics:
• The order should be clear and complete.
• It should be reasonable and attainable.
• The order must be in tune with the various other objectives of the organization and also
for the interests of the subordinates.
• All orders should follow the chain of command.
• Face-to-face suggestions are preferable to long­distance orders
2.Supervision in an overall manner
• It refers to monitoring the progress of routine work of one’s subordinates and
guiding them properly. Supervision is an important element of the directing
function of management. Supervision has an important feature that includes
face-to-face interaction between the supervisor and his subordinates
• It involves direct personal interaction with subordinates. Supervision converts plans
into action. Thus supervision is considered an essential step in the process of
directing
3.Motivating Subordinates
• The term motivation can be referred to as that process that excites people to
work for the attainment of the desired objective. Among the various factors
of production, it is only the human factor that is dynamic and provides
mobility to other physical resources.
• It becomes essential to motivate human resources to keep the employees
dynamic, aware, and eager to perform their duty. Both monetary and non-
monetary incentives are given to the employees for motivation. Thus
through motivation, the employees will perform better. Hence, it will help to
achieve the organizational goals and objectives
4.Providing Leadership
• The term Leadership defines as influencing others in such a manner as to
guide them to do what the leader wants them to do. Leadership plays an
important role in directing. Only through this leadership skill, a manager can
develop trust and eagerness among his subordinates. Therefore it leads to
guiding and providing overall counseling to subordinates in the best way for
achieving their objectives and also for the organization
5.Communicating with Subordinates
• It refers to an act of transferring facts, ideas, feeling, etc. from one person to
another and making him understand them. A manager has to continuously
guide and also at the same time, monitor his subordinates about what to do,
how to do it, and when to do various things.
• It is very essential to know their reactions. To do all this it becomes essential
to develop effective telecommunication facilities. Therefore, the essential
feature is to communicating with itself can be called developing mutual
understanding inculcates a sense of cooperation and builds an environment
of coordination in the organization.
6.Maintaining discipline and
Rewarding Effective People
• By maintaining an atmosphere of discipline and trust in the organization, the
manager can easily give directions. So that the work done by his employees
is in most efficient and effective manner.
• In return, the employees will get a reward in the form of bonus, incentives
and other perks so as to get themselves associated with the organization on
a long-term basis.  Therefore, this element of direction also plays a very
important role in achieving overall objectives of an organization.
 Leading vs Directing
Leading
• Leading is about taking the lead: initiating,
inspiring, and motivating workers. It is
about fostering passion to continue to work
and exceed expectations, improve
standards for product quality and
manufacturing, set industry standards for
quality and production, and generally being
a great example for others to follow. When
managers lead workers, they are helping
them realize that managers objectives and
goals match with their personal ambitions,
in addition to the company’s overall
mission, vision, and goals.
Directing
• Directing is focusing the company into a specific
direction. This means that when management
develops a plan of action, organizes its
distribution, oversees the implementation, hires
the right people, collaborates inter-
departmentally, and adjusts to changes.
Managers are directing the business to where it
should go, having the organization’s mission,
vision, and goals in mind. Backed by the full
faith and trust in handling managerial tasks of a
business, managers provide perspective in the
ever-changing business environment filled with
uncertainties and even some unexpected
surprises.