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What does directing involves?

Directing is concerned with instructing, guiding, supervising and inspiring people in the organization to achieve its objectives. It is the process of telling people what to do and seeing that they do it in the best possible way.

What does directing involves?

Directing function involves :

1. telling people what is to be done and explaining them how to do it.
2. issuing instructions and orders to subordinates to carryout their assignments as scheduled.
3. Supervising their activities
4. inspiring them to meet the managers expectations and contribute towards the achievement of the organizationa objectives.
5. providing leadership

What is the role of managers?

Managers plan and take decisions. They organize to define work and create suitable positions in the enterprise. People are employed to perform the jobs, but the actual work of getting the job done comes under the directing function.

How is directing related to management?

Directing is management in action. It is through the exercise of this function that managers get things done through people.

What is the importance of directing?

Plans remain mere plans unless they are put into action. In the absence of direction, subordinates will have no idea as to what to do. They will probably be not inspired to complete the job satisfactorily. Implementation of plans is thus largely the concern of directing function.

How does directing helps in management?

As a function of management, directing is helpful in many ways –

1. It guides and helps the subordinates to complete the given task properly and as per schedule.
2. It provides the necessary motivation to subordinates to complete the work satisfactorily and strive to them best.
3. It helps in maintaining discipline and rewarding those who do well.
4. Directing involves supervision, which is essential to make sure that work is preformed according to the orders and instructions.
5. Different people perform different activities in the organization. All the activities are interrelated. In order to co-ordinate the activities carried out in different parts and to ensure that they are performed well, directing is important.
6. Directing involves leadership that essentially helps in creating appropriate work environment and build up team spirit.

What are the elements of directing?

Communication, supervision, motivation and leadership are the four essential elements of directing.

What is communication?

Communication is the basic organizational function, which refers to the process by which a person transmits information or messages to another person.

What is the purpose of communication?

The purpose of communication in the organization is to convey, orders, instructions or information so as to bring desired changes in the performance and or the attitude of the employees.

How do supervisors benefit from good communication skills?

Proper communication skills result in clarity and securing the cooperation of subordinates. In an organization, supervisors transmit information to the subordinates. Faulty communications may create problems due to misunderstanding between the superior and subordinates. The subordinates must correctly understand the message conveyed to them.

What aspects are involved in communication?

In communication :

2. There is message sent by the sender to the reciever.
3. The reciever recieves the message and understands it.

What are the benefits of communication?

Communication in organization is so important that it is said to be the lifeblood of the organization. Success of direction largely depends on how effectively the manager can communicate with his subordinates. Proper communiction in organization at all levels and between all levels can improve both the quality and quantity of the output.

What are the benefits of communication?

Some of the benefits of communication are –

1. Communication helps employees to understand their role clearly and performs effectively.
2. It helps in achieving co-ordination and mutual understanding which in turn, leads to industrial harmony and increased productivity.
3. Communication improves managerial efficiency and ensures cooperation of the staff.
4. Effective communication helps in molding attitudes and building up employees morale.
5. Communication is the means through which delegation and decentrailisation of authority is successfully accomplished in an organization.

What are the different types of communication?

Communication is of the following types –

1. Formal and informal communication
2. Upward, downward, horizontal and diagonal communication
3. verbal and non-verbal communication

What is the channel of communication?

THe path through which information flows is called channel of communication. In every organization, there are both formal and informal channels.

What are formal channels?

The path of communication which are based on relationship established formally by management are the formal channels. For example – the General Manager communicates a decision to the production manager who may then issue orders or instructions to the foremen.

What is informal channel?

Communication which takes place on the basis of informal or social relations among staff, is called informal communication. Mostly informal channels are used due to friendly interaction of members of an organization. In fact, it may purely be personal or related to organizational matters.

What are the types of communication based on the flow or direction of communication?

On the basis of flow or organization, it can be classified as upward, downward, hoizontal or diagonal.

What is upward communciation?

When employee makes any request, appeal, report, suggest or communicate ideas to the superior, the flow of communication is upward i.e. from bottom to top. Upward communication encourages employees to participate actively in the operations of their department. They get encouraged and their sense of responsibility increases when they are heard by their supervisors about problems affecting the jobs.

What is downward communication?

When communication is made from superiors down the hierarchy it is called downward communication. For instance, when superiors issue orders and instructions to subordinates, it is known as downward communication. When the General Manager orders supervisors to work overtime, the flow of communication is downward i.e. from top to bottom.

What is horizontal flow of communiction?

Communication amongst members at the same level in the orngaization. For example, production manager may communicate the production plan to the sales manager. This is known as horizontal flow of communication. This type of communication facilitates coordiination of activities that are interdependent.

What is diagonal communication?

WHen communication is made between people who are neither in the same department nor at the same level of organizational hierarchy, it is called diagonal communication. For instance, cost accountant may request for reports from sales representatives not the sales manager for the purpose of distribution cost analysis.

What are the types of communication based on mode used?

On the basis of the mode used, communication may be verbal or non-verbal.

What is the meaning of barrier?

Barrier means the hindrance that adversely affect communication.

What are the barriers to effective communication?

Following are the some barriers to communication –

1. Semantic Barriers
2. Psychological Barriers
3. Organizational Barriers
4. Personal Barriers

When do semantic barriers happen in communication?

Semantic barriers take place when the sender and the receiver of the message interpret the words, sentences, symbols etc. differently.

Explain the types of semantic barriers.

1. Symbols with different meanings – A word may have different meanings. For example – minute(time and small).
2. Bady expressed message – Same time manager may use wrong words. Manager may omit needed words.
3. Faulty Translation – A manager recieves information from his uperior and transfer it to its subordinates. Manger translates it for all the employees according to their levels of understanding. If the reciever of information makes a faulty translation, it can be a barrier in the communication.
4. Unclarified Assumption – Same tims a sender takes it for granted that the reciever knows same basic things. So, sender may communicate him only about the major subject matter. This may be barrier in an effective communication.

What are psychological barriers?

There are following pyschological barriers –

1. lack of attention – When the reciever is engagted in some important work he does not listen to the message attentively. This lack of attention will be barriers to effective communication.
2. Loss by Transmission and Poort Retention – When communication passes through various levels, successive transmissions of the message may result in loss of information.
3. Premature Evalutation – Sometimes the reciever of information makes a judgement before listening to the entire message. This is a hindrance in the exchange of information.
4. Distrust – If the receiver and sender of information do not trust each other, they cannot understand each other’s message in the original sense.

What are organizational barriers?

Some organizational or physical barriers put difficulties in smooth communication. These are –

1. Rules and regulations – Rigid rules may lead to red tapism, delay in action and delay in movement of information.
2. Status – Sometimes higher managers in the higher rank may not pass on all information to the managers of lower ranks.
3. Organizational policies – Organizational policies determinte the relationship among all the persons working in the organization. For example – in centralized organisation, all important information is retained at the top level officers only.
4. Complexity in Organizational structure – In an organization, where tere are number of managerial levels , there will be delay in communication. Information gets changed before it reaches reciever.

What are personal barriers?

Personal barriers are folloing –

1. Lack of challenge of authority- Superior try to cancel information if they fear of losing their authority over the subordinates.
2. Lack of confidence in subordinates – Top level officers do not have confidence on the competence of their subordinates. So, they may not pay any attention to their advice.
3. Unwillingeness to Communicate – Subordinates may not be willing to communicate with their superiors if they believe that it may adversely affect their intense.
4. Lack of proper interest – The lack of incentive to the subordinates can be of the fact that thier suggestions ar not given any importance.

What are the different ways in which communication barriers can be overcome?

1. Consult others before communicating
2. Communicate according to the needs of the reciever
3. Clarify the idea before communicating
4. Good Listener
5. Proper feedback
6. Follow up communication
7. Use of informal channels

How does consulting others before communicating ?

If the subordinates are allowed to participate in the development of the message to be communicated, they will accept it and will have a commitment to implement it. Therefore, it is better to involve others developing the message.

What does it mean to communicate as per the needs of the receiver?

The sender of message should know the level of understanding of the receiver, The content, language and tone of the message should be adjusted to suit the education and intelligence of the receiver.

What is the importance of clarifying the idea before communicating?

The message to be conveyed should be analyzed in depth by the communicator. Communicator should be clear of the message to be analysed in depth by the communicator. Communicator should be clear of the message to be transmitted and try to pass the message in simple words.

How does listening helps in overcoming the barriers?

Managers should attend and listen patiently to the employees. This helps the employees to be mingle freely with the manager.

How does feedback helps in communication?

Communication is complete only when the message is understood by the receiver. The communicator can ensure the success of communication by asking questions about the message to be conveyed. The receiver should be encouraged to respond to the message. Thus communication becomes a two-way process.

What does follow up communication refers to?

Managers need to review and follow-up instructions given to subordinates. This follow up will help to remove misunderstanding of instructions.

What is the use of informal channels?

A manager must make use to his grapevine to support the formal channels of communication.

What is supervision?

After the employees have been instructed regarding what they have to do and how to do , it is the duty of the manager to see that they perform the work as per instructions. This is known as supervision.

Who plays the role of supervisors?

Managers play the role of supervisors and ensure that the work is done as per the instructions and the plans.

What is the role of supervisors?

Supervisors clarify all instructions and guide employees to work as a team in co-operation with others. Supervisors solve most of the routine job-related problems of subordinates.

What are the functions performed by supervisors?

Supervisors perform the following functions –

1. clarifies orders and instructions issued to subordinates and ensures that they have understand and follow these fully.
2. ensures that subordinates have required facilities to perform their jobs.
3. keep a watch and guides the activities of subordinates in performing their jobs.
4. broadens their horizons of his subordinates by making them aware of the wider aspects of their day to day work.
5. co-ordinates the work of different sub-ordinates under him.
6. detects errors and omissions and ensures their rectification.

Where is the requirement of supervisors the most?

Though supervision is required at all levels of management, it is of great importance at the operational level i.e. at the level of first line supervisor. Managers at this level devote maximum time in supervising the work of sub-ordinates. Though the top or middle level managers also supervise the work of their sub-ordinate managers, but it is the first line supervisors who are in direct and constant touch with operatives i.e. workers in the factory and clerical staff in the office. Thus, they are directly responsible for getting the work done through most of the employees in an organization.

What is the importance of supervision in an organization?

On the basis of the influence on the work at operational level and human approach to the problems of workers, the supervision can ensure workers co-operation and support in achieving organizational objectives.

Who are supervisors?

Supervisors are the key people among managers at different levels. They are the link between the top and middle management and the workers. They are the mouth piece of management for communicating its ideas, plans and policies to the workers and employees. At the same time, they have to play the role of principal spokesperson of their subordinates to communicate their feelings and greviances to the management. Thus, it is only the supervisor who as a member of the management team, is capable of developing links to workers.

What is expected out of supervisors?

Supervisors are expected to maintain the best and friendly relations with their seniors as well as with the workers and enjoy the trust and confidence of both the management and operatives.

What are the functions of supervisors?

The supervisor performs the function of planning, organising, directing and controlling with respect to his own subordinates and departments. Major part of the supervisor is devoted in directing and controlling the activities of the subordinates. He or she also co-ordinates by integrating the same with the activities of the departments of the enterprise.

What are the special functions performed by the supervisor?

Following are the special functions performed by the supervisor –

1. Link between top management and workers
2. creating ideal atmosphere
3. guiding the workers
4. quality output
5. feedback
6. suggested training programmes

How does the supervisor acts as a link between the manager and the workers?

A supervisor works as a link between managers working at high levels and workers. He or she conveys the decision of the higher level managers to the workers and also contributes the performance of the workers and also communicates the performance of the workers to the higher level management through different performance reports. He or she communicates the greviances, feelings of demands etc. of the workers to the higher level management.

How do supervisors ensure a good atmosphere ?

Being an important link between the operatives and the management a supervisor is expected to create an ideal atmosphere for work in the organisation by correctly communicating ideas, wishes and decisions of the higher level management to the workers.

How do supervisors guide the workers?

For obtaining best results, the supervisors assigns jobs to the workers keeping in mind their ability and aptitude of work. He makes them available the necessary tools and equipments, raw materials etc for proper execution of the jobs. He also guides the worker properly to ensure that the job is done with perfection and accuracy.

In what ways does the supervisor ensures the quality of work?

A supervisor has to ensure quality through constant watch on the performance of the workers. He or she ensures that the perfomrance of the workers takes place as per the plans. This results into study flow of output.

How is the feedback provided by the supervisors helpful?

A supervisors keep watching the performance of the his subordinates and identifies their strengths and weakness. He or she gives the feedback about this to the workers with the object to further improve the perfommance of the workers in the future.

In what ways do supervisors ensure better training to its employees?

A supervisor identifies the areas in which the workers require training and accordingly suggest training programes that should be organised for them.

What is motivation in terms of organization?

Motivation requires the managers to inspire or induce the employees to act and get the expected results. It is a force to inspire a person at work to intensify his willingness to use the best of his capability for achievement of specified objectives.

What are the different ways of motivating?

Motivation could be in the form of incentives like financials such as bonus, commission or non-financial such as appreciation and growth or it could be positive and negative. Motivation is directed towards goals and prompt people to act.

What is the required during work?

While performing a job, there are two things that are required. The ability to work and the willingness to work. Without willingness to work, ability to work can not produce results.

What is the importance of motivation in getting a job done?

The importance of motivation lies in converting the ability to work into willingness to work . Performance depends on ability as well as willingness, and willingness depends on motivation. Thus, motivation is a key element in directing people to do the job.

What are the benefits of motivation while getting a job done?

Benefits of motivation are –

1. with proper motivation there can be maximum utilisation of the factors of production like men, money, material etc.
2. if employees are motivated it will reduce employee turnover and absenteeism.
3. motivation fosters a sense of belongingness among the employees towards the organization and also improves the morale.
4. motivation helps in reducing the number of complaints and greivances. The wastage and accident rate also come down.
5. with proper motivational techniques, management can attract competent and best skilled employees.

What is a need?

A need is a feeling of lack of something and everyone tries to take care of that feeling by satisfying or fulfilling what he lacks.

What was Maslow’s motivation about needs?

According to Maslow, an individual has many needs and their order can be determined. If a person satisfies his first need then he thinks about his next need. After satisfying the second need, he tries to satisfy third need and so on. So, need are the motivators.

Explain the Maslow’s hierarchy of needs?

Maslow has given hierarchy of needs in the following order-

1. Pyschological Needs – These needs include need for food, shelter and clothing.
2. Safety and security needs – Once psychological needs are fulfilled then people often start thinking about their safety. Safety needs include need for physical safety and economic safety. Physical safety means safety from accidents, disease etc. Economic safety refers to the safety of livelihood.
3. Social Needs – Man is a social animal. He wants to live in the society honourably. Therefore, he wants friends and relatives with whom he can share his joys and sorrows. Social needs include love, affection, love etc.
4. Esteem Needs – These are the need for respect and recognition. Esteem needs are also known as ego needs.
5. Self- actualization needs – Self actualization needs are concerned with becoming what a person is capable of becoming.These needs include need for growth, self fulfillment etc.

What are the assumptions made for Maslow’s need hierarchy theory?

Following are the assumptions made –

1. Behavior of people depends upon their needs. Human behavior can be changed by fulfilling their needs.
2. Generally the needs follow the hierarchy starting them psychological needs.

What are the financial incentives ?

Following are the financial incentives provided by the organization to the workers.

1. Pay and Allowances -Salary is the basic monetary incentive of every employee. Salary includes basic pay, dearness allowances, etc.
2. Bonus – Bonus means the payment to employees in addition to their regular remuneration. Bonus is provided in the form of cash, free trips to resorts or foreign countries etc.
3. Commission- In sales department, sales people get commissions on the basis of sales.
4. Retirement Benefits – Every employee is concerned about his future after retirement. Some retirement benefits are Provident fund, pension, gratuatity etc.
5. Pre-requisites – Rent free accommodation, car allowances, facility of services are called as pre-requisites.

What are the various non-financial incentives provided to the employees?

Following are some of the incentives provided –

There are various non-financial incentives provided by the employers to the employees. Some of them are –
1. Career Advancement Opportunity – Appropriate skill development programmes will encourage employees to show improved performance.
2. Status – Status means the rank of a person in an organization. The rank is linked with authority, responsibility, and other extra benefits. Everybody has a wish to be in high rank. Therefore, an employee can be motivated by placing him in higher rank.
3. Employee Recognition Programs – Every employee wants to be considered as an important part of an organization. Work of an organization should be distributed in such a way that everyone feels that his work is yield and he is capable to do that work.
4. Employee Participation – It means involving employee in decision making specially when decision are related to workers.
5. Organization climate – It means the relationship between superior and subordinates. Employees can put their best if healthy climate exist in an organization.

Who is a leader?

A person who is able to influence others and make them follow his instructions is called a leader. The main purpose of managerial leadership is to get willing cooperation of the workgroup to achieve goals.

What is the importance of leadership?

Following are the some of the importance of leadership –

1. leadership improves the performance of the employees. Leaders can motivate the followers to work and thereby increase their performance levels.
2. with continious support and guidance, leaders are able to build confidence among the followers, thereby increasing speed and accuracy and decreasing wastage.
3. with friendly and cooperative efforts the leader is able to build employees morale which in turn contribute to higher productivity.

What are the qualities of a leader?

A good leader should be professionally competent, intelligent, analytical and he or she should have a sense of fair play, including honesty, sincerity, integrity and sense of responsibility . He or she must possess initiative, perseverance, be diligent and realistic in his or her outlook. He or she must also communicate his subordinates effectively. Human skills are effective for any leader.

Happy Learning 🙂