Directing
Directing
◦ Direction is a function of management performed by top
level management in order to achieve organizational goals.
It is very important and necessary function of management.
◦ Management has to undertake various activities like, guide
people, inspire and lead them as well as supervision of their
activity is required in order to achieve desired results.
Definition
• Direction consists of the process and
techniques utilized in issuing instructions and
making certain the operations are carried as
originally planned.
Functions of Directing
❖ It guides and helps the subordinates to complete the given task properly
and as per schedule.
❖ It provides the necessary motivation to subordinates to complete the
work satisfactorily and strive to do them best.
❖ It helps in maintaining discipline and rewarding those who do well.
❖ Directing involves supervision, which is essential to make sure that work is
performed according to the orders and instructions.
Directing involves
✓Telling people what is to be done and explaining how
to do it.
✓Issuing instructions and orders to subordinates.
✓Inspiring them to contribute towards the achievement
of objectives.
✓Supervising their activities; and
✓Providing leadership and motivation.
Elements of Directing
◦ Supervision
◦ Leadership
◦ Motivation
◦ Communication
Elements of Directing
Supervision- implies overseeing the work of subordinates by their superiors. It is the act of
watching & directing work& workers.
Motivation- means inspiring, stimulating or encouraging the sub-ordinates with passion to work.
Positive, negative, monetary, non-monetary incentives may be used for this purpose.
Leadership- may be defined as a process by which manager guides and influences the work of
subordinates in desired direction.
Communications- is the process of passing information, experience, opinion etc from one person to
another.
Supervision
Refers to day to day relationship between manager / Superior and his Subordinate.
It should NOT AIM primarily at fault finding but at education and guidance.
Definition:
It’s a management activity which is carried out by SUPERVISORS to oversee the
productivity and progress of employees who report directly to the supervisors.
◦ It’s essentially an Educational Process.
◦ Educate less qualified or less experienced by better qualified and better experienced
ones.
◦ Supervisors are the key people among managers at different levels. They are the link
between the top and middle management and the workers
Differences between Direction / Supervising
Directing (Wide) Supervising (Narrow)
▪It include motivation, communication, supervision,
training & leadership. ▪It is only one of the elements of direction.
▪ Direction is generally at top level. ▪ It is restricted to the lower level management.
▪ Generally, direction is related to supervision which is ▪ He has to deal, guide and lead workers directly under
the intermediate link between the workers and his commands.
management
▪ Direction being at the top level, formulates polices ▪ Supervision at lower level only for implementation.
and takes important decision.
▪ Financial & non financial incentives. ▪ It cannot provide incentives but if can only
recommend rewards in special case.
▪ Leads the efforts of medium and lower Level ▪ Efforts of employee under his commands.
executives.
Communication
• helps employees to understand their role clearly and perform effectively.
• It helps in achieving co-ordination and mutual understanding which in turn, leads
to industrial harmony and increased productivity.
• Communication improves managerial efficiency and ensures cooperation of the
staff.
• Effective communication helps in molding attitudes and building up employees’
morale.
• Communication is the means through which delegation and decentralization of
authorities successfully accomplished in an organization.
Leadership
leadership improves the performance of the employees.
Leaders can motivate the followers to work and thereby increase
their performance level.
with continuous support and guidance, leaders are able to build
confidence among the followers, thereby increasing speed and
accuracy and decreasing wastage.
with friendly and cooperative efforts the leader is able to build
employees’ morale which in turn contribute to higher productivity.
Motivation
• with proper motivation there can be maximum utilization of the factors of
production like men, money, material etc.
• if employees are motivated it will reduce employee turnover and absenteeism.
• motivation fosters a sense of belongingness among the employees towards the
organization and also improves their morale.
• motivation helps in reducing the number of complaints and grievances.
Highly motivated people
perform better than
unmotivated people.
HOW CAN THE ORGANIZATION ENHANCE
MOTIVATION?
1. Providing Financial Rewards:
In most health services, the major part of the current budget
is spent on salaries and staff benefits.
Even though, most health staff feel unpaid.
Better financial rewards can be allowed through:
◦ Increasing other benefits (as: House Allowance)
◦ Providing more supportive services (as: free travels, child care
center,….)
◦ Creating opportunities for merit awards (as: training)
HOW CAN THE ORGANIZATION ENHANCE
MOTIVATION?
2. Meeting the Needs for Recognition and Status:
Provision of status symbols; office size, furnishing, vehicle use, ……
etc.
A leave for staff who have satisfactorily completed the hard work.
Praise for good work and use words like “Thank you”, “You did a
good job” …… etc.
Permission to attend training or conferences.
HOW CAN THE ORGANIZATION ENHANCE
MOTIVATION?
3. Encourage Team Work & Friendships:
• Team learning during training.
• Create work team within organizational units.
• Reward group performance.
• Encourage social activities.