Directing: - Directing is a complex function that all those activities which are designed to encourage subordinate to work effectively and efficiently.

1. Directing
Directing: - Directing is a complex function that all those activities which are designed to
encourage subordinate to work effectively and efficiently.
Characteristics of Directing
1. Directing Initiates Action: - Directing is consider to be the most important function
of management. Each manager is required to perform this function along with
planning, organising staffing, and controlling while performing his job.
2. Directing takes place at every level of management: - A manager has to perform the
function of directing at all levels of management vie, top, middle and supervisory
levels.
3. Directing is a continuous process: - The function of directing continue throughout
the life of an organisation irrespective of the people occupying managerial positions.
4. Directing flows from top to bottom: - Directing flows from top to bottom through
organisational hierarchy. A manager gives direction to his subordinated and takes
instruction from his boss.
5. Directing brings stability & balance: - Directing function instructs, guides, supervise
& inspires the subordinates in such a manner that maintains balance between
individual goals & organisational goals.
Directing Initiates
Action
Directing takes
place at every level
of management
Directing is a
continous process
Directing flows
from top to
bottom
Directing brings
stability & balance

2. Importance of Directing
1. Initiates Actions: - It helps in initiating actions of people towards achieving
organisational goals other functions preceding directing like Planning. Organizing,
Staffing etc.
2. Integrates Employees Efforts: - Directing ensures integration of employee’s efforts
towards attainment of organisational goals. In any organisation, the jobs of
subordinate are usually interrelated and performance of each individual is affected
by the performance of others.
3. Means of Motivations: - Through motivation and effective leadership, directing
helps the employees to realize their full potential.
4. Facilitates Changes: - To cope up with the changes in the business environment,
directing function guides, initiates and motivates employees in such a manner that
helps them to accept willingly.
5. Balance in the Organisation: - Directing helps in establishing cooperation and
commitment among the people Thus it helps to bring stability and balance in the
organisation.
Initiates
Actions
Integrates
Employees
Efforts
Means of
Motivation
Fascilitates
Changes
Balance in the
Organisation

3. Principle of Directing
1. Maximum Individual Contribution: - According to this principle directing must help
an individual in an organisation to contribute his full potential for the attainment of
organisational goals.
2. Harmony of Objectives: - Individual objectives of employees and organisational
objectives are very often conflicting with each other.
3. Unity of Command: - According to this principle one subordinate should receive
instruction only from one superior.
4. Appropriateness of Direction Technique: - While directing the people, appropriate
direction technique should be adopted according to individual’s need, ability attitude
and the situation.
5. Managerial Communication: - In order to make direction effective, managerial
communication across all the levels in the organisation is required.
6. Use of Informal Organisation: - Informal organisation exits within every formal
organisation. Hence, every manager should make use of such organisation for
effective directing.
7. Leadership: - While providing instruction and guidance to the subordinate, the
managers should act as leader in order to influence the subordinate in a positive
manner without causing any dissatisfaction among them.
8. Follow through: - Only giving instruction to the subordinate is not enough. The
managers are required to review regularly whether the instruction is being followed
and implemented or not or if any problems are being encountered.
Maximum
Individual
Contribution
Harmony of
Objectives
Unity of
Command
Appropriateness
of Direction
Technique
Mangerial
Communication
Use of Informal
Organisation
Leadership Follow through