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INTRODUCTION One of the main functions of a manager is to direct subordinates effectively. Directing is concerned with carrying out the desired plans. It initiates organized and planned action and ensures effective performance by subordinates towards the accomplishment of group activities. Direction is called MANAGEMENT IN ACTION. For instance, “ Just as starting the motor of a car does not make it move unless put into gear and the accelerator pressed, in the same way organized actions are initiated in the enterprise only through the directing function of management.
DEFINITIONS • Urwick And Breach, “Directing is the guidance, the inspiration, the leadership of those men and women that constitute the real core of the responsibilities of management.” • Marshall E. Dimock, “The heart of administration is the directing function which involves determining the course, giving order and instructions, providing the dynamic leadership.” • Haimann remarks, “Directing consists of the process and techniques utilising in issuing instructions and making certain that operations are carried out as originally planned.”
NATURE OF DIRECTION • Dynamic Function • Initiates Action • Provides Link Between Various Managerial Functions • Universal Function • Concerned With Human Relationships
Harmony Of Objectives : The interest of the group must always prevail over individual interest. The principle implies harmony of personal interest and common interest. • Unity Of Command : This principle states that one person should receive orders from only one superior, in other words, one person should be accountable to only one boss.
Unity Of Direction : Each group of activities having the same objective must have one plan of action and must be under the control of one supervisor. • Direct Supervision : Direct supervision infuses a sense of participation among subordinates that encourages them to put in their best to achieve organizational goals and develop an effective system of feed back of information. • Participative Management : According to this principle, the superior must act according to the mutual consent and the decisions reached after consulting the subordinates.
Effective Communication : It is very essential to have an effective communication system which provides for free flow of ideas, information, suggestions, complaints and grievances. • Follow Up : In order to make direction effective, a manager has to continuously direct, guide, motivate and lead his subordinates. He should intelligently oversee his subordinates at work and correct them whenever they go wrong.
1. Issuing Orders And Instructions : A manager is required to issue a number of orders to his subordinates to initiate, modify or halt any action. Orders and instructions reflect the decisions of managers. 2. Leadership : It refers to influence others in a manner to do what the leader wants them to do. Leadership plays an important role in directing. Only through this quality, a manager can inculcate trust and zeal among his subordinates. 3. Communication : It refers to an art of transferring facts, ideas, feeling, etc. from one person to another and making him understand them. A manager has to continuously tell his subordinates about what to do, how to do, and when to do various things.
4. Motivation : It refers to that process which excites people to work for attainment of the desired objective. Among the various factors of production, it is only the human factor which is dynamic and provides mobility to other physical resources. 5. Co-ordination : In order to achieve goals of an enterprise, both physical as well as mental co-ordination should be secured. Co-ordination is a part of directing exercise and helps in synchronisation of various efforts.
6. Supervision : It refers to monitor 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 face-to-face contact between the supervisor and his subordinate is a must.
It Initiates Actions – Directions is the function which is the starting point of the work performance of subordinates. It is from this function the action takes place, subordinates understand their jobs and do according to the instructions laid. Whatever are plans laid, can be implemented only once the actual work starts. • Improves Efficiency : A manager tries to get maximum work from his subordinates. This will be possible only through motivation and leadership and these techniques are a part of direction. • Ensures Co-ordination : Direction helps in ensuring mutual understanding and team work. The integration of various activities is possible through direction. • Implementing Changes : A business operates in changing environment. Proper system of motivation will help the employees in taking up new challenges.
It Provides Stability - Stability and balance in concern becomes very important for long term sun survival in the market. This can be brought upon by the managers with the help of four tools or elements of direction function - judicious blend of persuasive leadership, effective communication, strict supervision and efficient motivation. • Motivation - Direction function helps in achievement of goals. A manager makes use of the element of motivation here to improve the performances of subordinates. This can be done by providing incentives or compensation, whether monetary or non – monetary. Motivation is also helpful for the subordinates to give the best of their abilities which ultimately helps in growth. • Supervision : Supervision has an important feature that face-to-face contact between the supervisor and his subordinate is a must. • Co-ordination : In order to see that efforts of every employee are in the direction of achieving organizational goals there is a need to co-ordinate various activities.
1. Delegation : Delegation is the assignment of responsibility or authority to another person (normally from a manager to a subordinate) to carry out specific activities. It is one of the core concepts of management leadership.Delegation empowers a subordinate to make decisions, i.e. it is a shift of decision-making authority from one organizational level to a lower one. 2. Supervision : It refers to monitor the progress of routine work of one’s subordinates and guiding them properly. Supervision is an important element of the directing function of management. 3. Issuing Orders And Instructions : As directional technique, and instruction is understood to be a charge by a superior requiring the subordinate to act or refrain from acting in a given circumstance.
