Directing in Management – Meaning, Characteristics, Elements, and Principles

What is directing in management? How does it differ from the other functions of management? Can an organisation survive without the directing function? Explore the answers to these questions in this blog and know how directing can be a complex managerial function in any organisation.

An organisation implements various management functions, such as planning, controlling, staffing, directing, etc., to thrive. Unlike other functions, directing in management involves instructions, guidance and supervision for tasks. 

Table of Content

1. Directing definition in management
2. 5 characteristics of directing in management
3. 4 elements of directing in management
4. 8 Principles of directing in management

Directing Definition in Management

Directing is a necessary function in management for guiding staff to prepare for their assigned tasks so that they can complete them and help achieve the goals as planned. 

The direction process in management involves the manager guiding, instructing, and looking over the performance of employees who are tasked with achieving goals. Through such a process, the employees don’t face bottlenecks while achieving goals. 

See how management experts define what is directing in management. 

“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 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

5 Characteristics of Directing in Management

Directing, as a core management function, is continuous, dynamic, delegatory, pervasive, and action-driven, across all levels of management. 

Directing is Action-Driven

All other functions like planning and controlling provide conditions to employees. These conditions describe how the goals are going to be achieved, and what is the reward or penalty for completing or not completing them. Direction concretises these conditions through actions. 

Directing is Pervasive

Direction is needed at every managerial level, meaning, it exists in every manager-subordinate relationship. The manager at middle level has to provide guidance to those at lower management, and at the same time, take guidance from the manager above at top level management. 

Directing Flows from Top to Bottom

As directions flows from top to bottom, the manager is required to offer guidance to subordinates. Instructions, guidance, etc., are provided from above and not the other way around. 

Directing is Continuous

Directing cannot stop as long as the organisation exists. This is another factor that contributes to the characteristics of management. 

Directing Looks into the Human Factor

Other management functions either presuppose the goals will be met when prescribed steps are taken (planning) or take action based on whether goals are met or not (controlling). 

As this function is action-driven, it takes unforeseen variables into account that may affect the overall goals. If in case variables arise, the manager’s directing function is required for guiding the subordinates. You can say that this is the only function that gives more importance to building interpersonal relationships in a team. 

4 Elements of Directing in Management

The major elements of directing in management are motivation, supervision, leadership, and communication. 

• Motivation is necessary at all times as employees have the pressure to fulfil tasks. It can be offered through many ways – incentives, recognition, etc. 
• Supervision helps employees stay on track with their tasks. When the subordinate faces work challenges, the manager is responsible for helping overcome them.
• Communication is one of the most important elements of direction that develops mutual cooperation. Without clear communication, information and tasks can be misinterpreted.
• Leadership nurtures trust among employees and persuades subordinates to accomplish tasks and grow professionally in their respective roles

By covering the above elements, the direction process in management fulfils these steps. 

• Providing Instructions – To direct subordinates, the manager must document instructions so that there is no miscommunication. 

• Counselling and Guidance – Employees must be provided with the right guidance and training to carry out tasks efficiently. 

8 Principles of Directing in Management

As directing is a complex function, there are a few principles to consider. 

• Full Individual Contribution – All directing methods must be able to bring the maximum productivity among subordinates
• Harmony of Objectives – Direction should ensure that organisational goals are complementary to the personal goals of the employees
• Unity of Command – Often quoted in the 14 Principles of Management, unity of command states that a subordinate should have one superior only when it comes to receiving instructions
• Appropriate Direction Technique – Direction methods should be reiterated or modified based on the capabilities and skills of employees
• Managerial Communication – Communication should be clear at all levels of management
• Use of Informal Organisation/Groups – Managers should be aware that informal groups are created in an organisation and should use them for the advantage of the organisation
• Good Leadership – Direction should be under good leadership of an emotionally intelligent manager
• Following Up – Only providing instructions and providing guidance will not do. Managers have to follow up on the progress as well.

Parting Thoughts

This was all about directing in management. Hopefully you got a better understanding of its characteristics, elements, and principles. Take up some management courses to apply this function even better in your managerial career.