Introduction and Feature & Importance of Directing

CONCEPT & MEANING:

Meaning:- Process of instructing, guiding, counseling, motivating and leading people in the organization to achieve its organization objectives

FEATURE & IMPORTANCE:

Characteristics of Directing

1. Initiate’s action: While other functions like planning, organizing, staffing prepare a setting for action, directing start action in the organization.
2. Continuous process: It takes place throughout the life of the organization due to changes in the organization's needs and objectives.
3. Essential at every level of management: Every manager, from the top executive to supervisor performs the function of directing. (pervasive function)
4. Starts from top to bottom: directing function required and recognized at all levels of management hierarchy. At the Lower level, it is the most, at the middle level less and at the top levels the least.

Importance of Directing

1. Facilitates change: all organization operates in a changing environment. Direction facilitates organizational adjustment to cope with the changing condition through better communication and leadership.
2. Initiate action: Supervisor through proper guidance and clarifying workers' doubts can help the worker to complete their work properly
3. Leads  employees: Good leader tries to identify the hidden qualities of his employees and motivate them to work up to their full potential
4. Means of motivation: Directing helps in motivating employees to work willingly to contribute their maximum efforts towards the achievement of organizational goals.
5. Stability and balance: Managerial direction involves interpersonal communication, effective leadership and motivation, which help to maintain stability in the organization.

Principles of Directing

1. Required communication: Managers should give clear instructions through various channels, and sure that subordinate understands their instructions clearly.
2. Unity of Command: person should receive instructions from one superior only to avoid confusion
3. Suitable direction technique: motivational methods should be used while directing the people based on subordinate needs, levels and attitudes
4. Harmony of objectives: directing should convince the employee that  rewards and hard work  are complementary to each other by keeping in mind the objective of the organization
5. Follow-through: Managers should follow instructions continuously so that their orders are being implemented accordingly.
6. Offers Leadership: managers should act as a leader to influence their subordinates positively without disappointing them to work willingly
7. Apply of informal organization: a manager should often use informal organizations for the fast decision making
8. Maximum individual contribution: Directing methods must help every individual in the organization to contribute to his maximum for the organizational goals