Direction
• "Direction is telling people what to do and seeing that they do it to the best of their
ability. It includes making assignments, corresponding procedures, seeing that mistakes
are corrected, providing on the job instruction and of course issuing orders."-Earnest Dale
• "Directing in the guidance, the inspiration, the leadership of those men and women that
constitute the real core of the responsibilities of management“.-Urwick
• "The heart of administration is the directing function which invovles determining the
course, giving orders and instruction, providing the dynamic leadership".-Marshall E.
Demore
• "The process of direction is concerned with the way an exective issues instructions to his
subordinates and other wise indicates what it is that should be done".-Newman
• "Direction is a complex function that includes all those actions which are designed to
encourage subordinates to work effectively and efficiently in both the short and long
run." -Koontz & O'Donnell
• "Direction consists of the processes and the techniques utilised in issuing instructions and
making certain that operations are carried on as originally planed".-Theo Haimann
Thus, the above definitions put the direction as "a managerial function which
directs-orders the subordinates; supervises, inspects and guides their activities; and
motivates them for work by providing various information and leadership. All this
process helps employees to contribute in the achievement of objectives". Direction
may be understood by the following diagram:
PRINCIPLES OF DIRECTION
The success of direction function depends upon the certain principles. These
principles are as given below:
1. Harmony of Objectives: Every individual is assigned a particular job and he,
himself, is responsible to complete that. He can do it in a better way only when
he thinks that it is going to attain his personal objectives which may be different
from the organisational objectives. So, the manager must try to reconcile the
personal objectives of his subordinates with those of organisational objectives.
2. Unity of Command: This principle of direction states that a subordinate should
get orders and instructions from one boss. He is responsible to one boss only. It is
the best principle if it is not affected by Dual Command.
3. Direct Supervision : Supervision refers to the direct and immediate guidance
and control of subordinate in the performance of their task. Direct supervision by
the boss and his direct advice to the subordinates boosts their morale resulting into
renewed and rigorous effort. It also increases loyalty among the subordinates
which is better for effective direction.
4. Effective Communication: Effective communication fosters mutual
understanding, secures greater efforts from the subordinates and helps in
coordinating the activities of an organisation. Effective communication is an
instrument of direction. Communication is complete only when the receiver
receives and accepts the message intended. Two-way communication gives the
subordinates a chance to express their feelings and the boss to know the feelings of
the subordinates. Misunderstanding, if any, can be removed through effective
communication. Participation of subordinates in decision-making and
responsibility essential to make communication really effective and meaningful.
5. Effective Leadership: The success of an organisation depends upon the quality of
leadership exhibited by its managers at every level. Subordinates are happy if they
get effective leadership from their boss. The boss must possess the qualities of a good
leader, if he is to get the work done with and through subordinates. The style of
leadership adopted by a manager may be directive or democratic depending upon the
needs of the situation. In any case, the manager cannot afford to overlook the
interests of the subordinates.
[Link] or Democratic Management: The function of directing becomes
more effective if participative or democratic style of management is followed.
According to this principle, the superior must act according to the mutual consent
and the decisions reached after consulting the subordinates. It provides necessary
motivation to the workers by ensuring their participation and acceptance of work
methods.
7. Follow up: In order to make direction effective, a manager has to direct, guide,
motivate and lead his subordinates. A manager has not only to issue orders and
instructions but also to follow up the performance so as to ensure that work is being
performed as desired. He should intelligently oversee his subordinates at work and