Introduction
The highest level executives of management execute the managerial task of directing. Any choice made should always be carried out appropriately. If not, making such a choice is pointless.
To ensure that instruction is properly implemented, directing must be given. Every management offers his or her employees guidance, and every employee in turn receives instruction from the appropriate manager.
Definition
“Directing is the process and methods used to provide orders and ensure that actions are carried out as originally intended, according to Haimann. “
“Direction is the interpersonal part of leading through which subordinates are brought to comprehend and successfully contribute to the realisation of company aim,” write Koontz and O’Donnel.
“Directing is the direction, the inspiration, the leadership of those men and women who comprise the true heart of the duties of management,” writes Urwick and Breach.
“Directing involves the whole method in which a boss impacts his subordinates’ conduct,” writes J.L. Massie.
Dole, “Direction involves stating what has to be done and ensuring that it is done as effectively as possible. Assignments, related processes, ensuring that errors are fixed, providing on-the-job training, and, of course, issuing orders are all included.”
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Principles of Direction
In general, a manager has to be aware of his employees’ wants, requirements, and attitudes. Depending on the persons and circumstances, he should adjust his approach. However, the manager may find the following guiding concepts helpful:
- Objective coherence: Each person has their own goals. Each organisation has unique goals. The management should coordinate the organisational goals with the personal goals. The individuals’ goals should be integrated with the organization’s goals via proper direction.
- Maximum individual contribution: Each member’s contribution is essential to the success of the organisation. Therefore, management should choose a method of direction that allows for the most possible input from members.
- Uniformity of direction or command: A worker should only be given directives from a single supervisor. If not, there might be lack of order, confusion among subordinates, and indiscipline.
- Efficiency: Involvement of subordinates in decision-making is encouraged. They would feel more committed after that. This will guarantee that choices are carried out. It will boost subordinates’ productivity.
- Direct supervision: Managers and their staff members should interact directly. Face-to-face interaction and a personal touch with subordinates will guarantee effective leadership.
- Feedback details: Giving commands and instructions to the underlings is only the beginning of effective leadership. The evolution of the management often requires ideas made by the subordinates. As a result, the management receives trustworthy suggestions thanks to the growth of the feedback system.
- Effective communication: The superior must make sure that the subordinates completely understand their goals, procedures, and obligations.
- The appropriateness of the direction technique: The management has three options for direction approaches. They have free reign, are authoritative, and consultative. However, the directing approaches should be chosen based on the circumstance.
- Effective control: To exert effective control over the subordinates, management should monitor the behaviour and performance of the subordinates. Effective guidance is ensured by effective control.
- Comprehension: More essential than what and how commands are conveyed to subordinates is the depth of their understanding. This is excellent for leading subordinates in the right path.
- Follow Through: Following through is a constant process. Giving commands or directions is not a goal in and of itself. Since direction is vital, management should keep an eye on how well the employees carry out their directions and if they encounter any obstacles.
Issuing Orders or Instructions
The management uses an order as a tool for guidance. Only a supervisor has the authority to issue an order. The boss has the authority to impose orders on his workers.
As a directed tactic, an instruction is seen as a charge by a superior instructing a subordinate to act or abstain from acting in a certain context, according to Kootnz and O’Donnel.
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Characteristics of a Good Leader
- An order must be enforceable over subordinates and fair.
- A properly defined order must be simple to comprehend.
- A rule should be written in a way that makes achieving an organization’s goals easier.
- An order must be comprehensive in every way.
- An order should demand the subordinates’ approval and willingness.
- Written orders are preferred to spoken ones.
- When giving an order, the superior uses the proper tone.
- The time frame for completing a project should be specified in an order.
- An order ought to make sense.
Techniques of Direction
The management uses three different methods of guidance. Below is a quick explanation of them:
1) Consultative direction: Before giving a directive, the supervisor or superior consults with his subordinates. The consultation is conducted to determine the problem’s viability, enforceability, and nature. It doesn’t always imply that the superior is incapable of acting on their own.
In the end, the superior has the authority to make decisions and issue directives. It requires the cooperation of subordinates for execution to be effective. Under this method of command, the subordinates have better motivation accessible to them. The subordinates’ morale might be raised by the supervisor.
2)Free-rein direction: In this kind of direction, the subordinate is urged to find a solution on their own. Generally, the work is assigned by the higher. To fix the issue, the subordinates should take the initiative. These leadership strategies can only be used by subordinates who are highly educated, effective, and honest.
3)Autocratic direction: This direction is directly opposed to the method of free rein. In this situation, the supervisor is in charge and closely watches over his employees.
The supervisor gives his staff very specific instructions, and they follow them. The subordinates have no remaining means to demonstrate their initiative.
Importance of Direction
One of the important managerial duties is direction. To successfully execute administrative rules and decisions, guidance is required. Through leadership, the subordinates are appropriately motivated.
In a firm, direction offers leadership. Cooperation between subordinates is another aspect of direction. The fundamental component of management, as well as one of its ongoing tasks, is direction.
- Action is started by direction.
- The group’s actions are coordinated by direction.
- Direction guarantees that each person contributes to the fullest.
- Direction lessens the resistance to accept organisational changes.
- Direction gives the organisation stability and balance.
- Direction assists in achieving an organization’s goals.
Characteristics of Direction
The following is a discussion of the qualities of direction:
- All levels of executives in an organisation conduct direction since it is one of the management duties.
- Management starts moving by giving orders.
- The organization’s direction remains constant during its lifespan.
- Top-level management first sets the course for the organisation. In other words, only superiors are in charge of the subordinates.
- Subordinates carry out the original plan’s instructions.
- Direction establishes a connection between management’s control function and its preparation actions. Planned activities include organising, staffing, and planning.