1. What do you mean by direction ? Write the characteristics of direction
2. Explain the importance of direction in management.
Answers
Answer:
It is concerned with managing the members of the organisation. Directing is the managerial function that consists of those activities which are concerned directly with influencing, guiding or supervising the subordinates in their jobs.
Thus directing is performance oriented and the initiating function of management that actuates plans and the organisation. If subordinates are not properly directed, nothing can be accomplished. Direction is another important element of management.
It is the sum total of managerial efforts which takes the organisation towards the predetermined goals. It is in fact part of every managerial action. The organisation does not start working till the manager gives direction which means guiding and supervising the subordinates.
ADVERTISEMENTS:
To carry out the function of direction is a tough task for the manager. It involves the tackling of human beings with varied nature. It is the inter-personal phenomenon which is concerned with men in one form or the other at every level of management.
Definition:
A few definitions of direction given by eminent authors will be helpful in understanding its meaning clearly.
These are given as under:
“Directing concerns the total manner in which a manager influences the actions of subordinates. It is the final action of a manager in getting others to act after all preparations have been completed.” —Joseph Massie
ADVERTISEMENTS:
“Direction is the impersonal aspect of managing by which subordinates are led to understand and contribute effectively and efficiently to the attainment of enterprise objectives.” —Koontz and O’Donnell
“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 instructions and of course, issuing orders. “—Ernest Dale
“Direction is the sum total of managerial efforts that are applied for guiding and inspiring the working terms to make better accomplishments in the organisation. ” —S.S. Chatterjee
In simple words, directing initiates action in the organisation according to certain predefined standards, rules and regulations. It is concerned with the mobilization of the human efforts and human resources to achieve certain goals in a definite time period.
Features or Characteristics:
ADVERTISEMENTS:
From the above definitions, following characteristics of direction can be derived:
(i) It is concerned with issuing of orders and instructions to the subordinates.
(ii) It is guiding and counselling the subordinates in their work with a view to improving their performance.
(iii) It is supervision of the work of subordinates to ensure that it conforms to plans.