The management function of directing creates an environment, gives leadership, and sets up the chance for inspiration. Each manager is responsible for organizing and supervising the work of each of their subordinates.
Offering leadership to the workgroup, creating an environment where people are driven to do their duties successfully, expressing operating expectations for performance as well as providing feedback on results are all challenges that managers encounter when performing the directing position. These particular aspects of management emphasize the manager’s interpersonal skills. There are no hard-and-fast rules; the manager must be considerate of the parties concerned and give subordinates the continual direction, coaching, and information they require.
The most crucial management technique is directing, which is at the core of the managerial role. Without directing, management tasks like staffing, organizing, and planning cannot be carried out effectively. Aspects of directing include leadership, communication, motivation, and supervision.
Giving orders, overseeing, motivating, counseling, inspiring, and leading others to achieve organizational goals are all definitions of directing.
Define directing by Koontz and O’Donnell “Direction is the impersonal aspect of managing by which subordinates are led to understand and contribute effectively and efficiently to the attainment of enterprise objectives.”
Directing definition by John A. Pearce II and Richard B. Robinson, Jr “Directing is a managerial function that involves the responsibility of managers for communicating to others what their roles are in achieving the company plan”.
The directing definition defines by Theo Haimann “Directing consists of the process and techniques utilized in issuing instructions and making certain that operations are carried out as planned”.
Importance of Directing
- To initiate action: Only after employees receive directions and guidance from their seniors does work begin in a company. Seniors perform this directing duty by directing a worker’s efforts in the direction of the organization’s predetermined goals. When the directing role is successfully carried out, the company will benefit from a clear sense of direction and goal-setting.
- Complement employee efforts: An business employs a sizable workforce at various levels and in a variety of positions. The level of authority and the nature of the job entrusted to each employee may vary. But because they are all employed by the same company, each position is comparable to the others. When employees are operating under different authorities and at different levels, their efforts do not diverge and can only be coordinated with the aid of the directing function.
- Ways to Motivate: It is not just concerned with getting work done by delegating authority to subordinates; it also needs to inspire workers to provide their best effort. The act of motivating is crucial to guiding. The guiding role brings them closer to the organization and encourages them to use their talents to the fullest.
- Promote balance and stability within the organization: Always strive for organizational balance when directing. In general, when employees work at different levels, they develop distinct attitudes, and the directing role creates a balance between their attitudes.
- To support change: The majority of employees put off accepting changes, but by performing directing duties, the changes can be implemented more quickly. Seniors guide subordinates when giving directions, so these changes are also beneficial to them.
