Directing

Definition : Koontz and O'Donnell: "Directing is the inter personel aspect of managing by which subordinates are led to understand and contribute effectively and efficiently to the attainment of enterprise objectives." Meaning : Directing or Direction is the managerial function of instructing, guiding, supervising and leading the people in the organisation towards the accomplishment of the oraganisational goals.

 DIRECTING is said to be a process in which the managers instruct, guide and oversee the performance of the workers to achieve predetermined goals. Directing is said to be the heart of management process. Planning, organizing & staffing have got no importance if direction function does not take place. Directing initiates action and it is from here actual work starts.

 Direction is said to be consisting of human factors. In simple words, it can be described as providing guidance to workers who are doing work. In field of management, direction is said to be all those activities which are designed to encourage the subordinates to work effectively and efficiently. Directing consists of process or technique by which instruction can be issued and operations can be carried out as originally planned. Therefore, Directing is the function of guiding, inspiring, overseeing and instructing people towards accomplishment of organizational goals.

Characteristics of Direction
Pervasive Function - Directing is required at all levels of organization. Every manager provides guidance and inspiration to his subordinates. Continuous Activity - Direction is a continuous activity as it continuous throughout the life of organization. Human Factor - Directing function is related to subordinates and therefore it is related to human factor. Since human factor is complex and behaviour is unpredictable, direction function becomes important. Creative Activity - Direction function helps in converting plans into performance. Without this function, people become inactive and physical resources are meaningless.

 Executive Function - Direction function is carried out by all managers and executives at all levels throughout the working of an enterprise, a subordinate receives instructions from his superior only. Delegate Function - Direction is supposed to be a function dealing with human beings. Human behaviour is unpredictable by nature and conditioning the peoples behaviour towards the goals of the enterprise is what the executive does in this function. Therefore, it is termed as having delicacy in it to tackle human behaviour

Importance of direction function

1. Direction initiates actions. Organisation is the sum-total of human and non-human resources. These resources should be handled in a certain way to get the desired results. Through direction, management conveys and motivates individuals in the organisation to function in the desired way to get organisational objectives. Without direction, other managerial activities like planning, organising and staffing become ineffective. 2. Direction integrates employees efforts. For achieving organisational objectives, individuals need not only to be efficient, but effective also. Their actions are interrelated in such a way that each individual's efforts need to be integrated so that organisation achieves its objectives in the most efficient manner and this is possible through direction only.

 3. Direction attempts to get maximum out of individuals. Every individual in the organisation has some potentiality and capability which, in the absence of proper motivation, leadership, communication-all element of direction-may not be utilised fully. Direction provides the way to utilize these capabilities and also it helps in increasing these capabilities. 4. Direction facilitates changes in the organisation. Organisation exists in the society and any change in the society changes organisational process to keep organisation ready to face environmental changes. Moreover, there are changes in organisation structure and in individuals. To incorporate and implement these changes, management should motivate individuals affected by these changes, which is an essential part of direction. 5. Direction provides stability and balance in the organisation. Effective leadership, communication and motivation, provide stability in the organisation and maintain balances in the different part of the organisation. Thus, organisation exists for a long period and its parts work in a harmonious way.
Considering the importance of direction in management process, Marshall Dimock has called it the heart administration. He finds high correlation between direction and work performance

Elements of Direction
Direction has certain elements. The important elements of direction are: 1. Issuing of order and instruction : The first element of direction is the issuing of orders and instructions by the superiors to the subordinates for getting the work done in the desired manner. 2. Guiding the subordinates : Another important element of direction is guiding the subordinates. The subordinates have to be guided to the proper method of work. 3. Supervision : Supervision is an important component of direction. Supervision implies overseeing the work of subordinates to ensure that the performance of the subordinates conforms to plans and contributes to the attainment of the organisational goal.

 4. Leadership : Leadership influences the work of subordinates. Appropriate and inspiring leadership alone can influence the subordinates to better their performances. 5. Motivation : Motivation creates in men, the willingness to work whole-heartedly for attaining objectives. 6. Maintenance of discipline : Discipline is an important element of direction. Proper discipline has to be maintained in the organization for the orderly behavior of the employees. 7. Communication : Communication is the core of direction. It is through the communication net-work that a manager instructs his subordinates as to what they should do and how they should do it. 8. Co-ordination : Direction implies co-ordination, so coordination is one of the important elements of direction.

Difference between directing & supervision

Directingshowing the way by conducting or leading; imposing direction on. felt his mothers directing arm around him; the directional role of science on industrial progress Supervising managing by overseeing the performance or operation of a person or group; under observation or under the direction of a superintendent or overseer; supervised play.