Directing in management refers to the process of guiding, instructing, and supervising employees to achieve organizational objectives effectively. It involves providing clarity on tasks, communicating expectations, and motivating individuals to perform at their best. Directing encompasses leadership, communication, motivation, and supervision to ensure that resources are utilized efficiently and tasks are completed successfully. Managers who excel in directing foster a supportive work environment, empower their teams, and facilitate collaboration. By providing clear guidance and encouragement, directing helps align individual efforts with organizational goals, driving productivity, innovation, and overall organizational success.
Principles of Directing
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Maximum Individual Contribution
One of the main principles of directing is the contribution of individuals. Management should adopt such directing policies that motivate the employees to contribute their maximum potential for the attainment of organizational goals.
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Harmony of Objectives
Sometimes there is a conflict between the organizational objectives and individual objectives. For example, the organization wants profits to increase and to retain its major share, whereas, the employees may perceive that they should get a major share as a bonus as they have worked really hard for it.
Here, directing has an important role to play in establishing harmony and coordination between the objectives of both the parties.
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Unity of Command
This principle states that a subordinate should receive instructions from only one superior at a time. If he receives instructions from more than one superiors at the same time, it will create confusion, conflict, and disorder in the organization and also he will not be able to prioritize his work.
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Appropriate Direction Technique
Among the principles of directing, this one states that appropriate direction techniques should be used to supervise, lead, communicate and motivate the employees based on their needs, capabilities, attitudes and other situational variables.
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Managerial Communication
According to this principle, it should be seen that the instructions are clearly conveyed to the employees and it should be ensured that they have understood the same meaning as was intended to be communicated.
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Use of Informal Organization
Within every formal organization, there exists an informal group or organization. The manager should identify those groups and use them to communicate information. There should be a free flow of information among the seniors and the subordinates as an effective exchange of information are really important for the growth of an organization.
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Leadership
Managers should possess a good leadership quality to influence the subordinates and make them work according to their wish. It is one of the important principles of directing.
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Follow Through
As per this principle, managers are required to monitor the extent to which the policies, procedures, and instructions are followed by the subordinates. If there is any problem in implementation, then the suitable modifications can be made.
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