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Understanding the Directing Function in Management

The document discusses the concept of direction as a managerial function. It defines direction as guiding, inspiring, instructing, and harnessing people to accomplish organizational goals. It then outlines the nature and techniques of directing. Specifically: 1) Direction is a pervasive, continuing, and linking function that converts plans into performance and initiates through the chain of command. 2) Techniques of directing include delegation, supervision, and issuing orders/instructions to subordinates. Delegation requires defining job duties while allowing flexibility, and supervision involves teaching workers and solving problems.

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3 views2 pages

Understanding the Directing Function in Management

The document discusses the concept of direction as a managerial function. It defines direction as guiding, inspiring, instructing, and harnessing people to accomplish organizational goals. It then outlines the nature and techniques of directing. Specifically: 1) Direction is a pervasive, continuing, and linking function that converts plans into performance and initiates through the chain of command. 2) Techniques of directing include delegation, supervision, and issuing orders/instructions to subordinates. Delegation requires defining job duties while allowing flexibility, and supervision involves teaching workers and solving problems.

Uploaded by

lakshya1985
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Direction

“The managerial function of guiding, inspiring, instructing & harnessing people


towards the accomplishment of desired results. It is that part of management
process which actuates the members of an organization to work effectively &
efficiently for the achievement of the goals.”

Nature of Directing

1. Pervasive Function – It is a managerial function performed by all the managers at all


levels of the organization. Every manager provides guidance & inspiration to his
subordinates.

2. Continuing Function – It is an on-going process as it continues throughout the life of an


organization.

3. Linking Function – It serves as a connecting link b/w preparatory functions (planning,


organizing & staffing) & controlling.

4. Creative Function – It converts plans into performance. Without direction human factors
in the organization become inactive & physical factors remain unutilized. Directing is
management in action. It breathes life into an organization.

5. Chain of Command – Directing initiates at the top level in the organization and follows
to bottom through the hierarchy. It emphasis that subordinate is to be directed by his own
superior only.

6. Human Factor – Directing is the interpersonal aspect of managing by which


subordinates are led to understand & contribute effectively & efficiently to the attainment
of enterprise objectives. Human factor is very dynamic and is conditioned by a complex
of forces about which not much is known and over which management has little control.
Therefore, directing is a very difficult and challenging function.

Techniques of Directing

1. Delegation as a means of directing – It implies that a superior entrusts his subordinates


with certain rights or powers. It may give rise to certain problems:
a) It may not be possible to spell out the tasks and duties of every subordinate. The
subordinate managers have, therefore, to learn to live with overlapping of jobs &
uncertainties in job descriptions.
b) The extent of delegated authority may not be exactly clear & some vagueness in this
regard may be unavoidable.
c) When work assignments are detailed, authority has to be detailed.
d) If the authority delegation is too rigid it may stifle initiative & creativity on the part of the
subordinates.
e) Indiscriminate delegation may create imbalances in organization because different
individuals do not have identical capacity & maturity.

2. Supervision – Every executive has to supervise the work of his subordinates. At the
operating level, supervision is the most significant part of a manager’s job. The
supervisor is in direct touch with the workers. He teaches proper work methods,
maintains discipline & work standards & solves workers grievances or problems.

3. Issuing of Orders & Instructions – The giving of orders & instructions to subordinates
is an indispensable component of directing & no manager can get things done without
them.

“As a directional technique, an instruction is understood to be a charge by a superior


requiring a subordinate to act or refrain from acting in a given circumstance.”

- Koontz & O’Donnell

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