Notes on Direction In Management Function:

Meaning Of Direction:

       Directing or Direction is a continuous process that makes a business a going concern with the Management function of direction. Direction in management function involves involves issuing orders, providing instructions and guidance, supervising the work, enforcing discipline and development esprit de corps (team spirit).

       Direction includes all those activities that are designed to motivate subordinates to work effectively and efficiently.

Importance Of Direction:

       The greatest importance of direction lies in the fact that the activities of a concern are performed through the efforts of different types of people. The importance of direction may be stated as follows:

1. Test of Managerial Ability:

       Direction Managerial capacity and ability to test as it is direction that secures greater or lesser efforts from the employees that leads to results- satisfactory or unsatisfactory.

       So the importance of direction cannot be neglected.

2. Bridges Gap Betweeb Planning And Actual Operation:

       The gap between planning and actual work operation is bridged by direction. The real works is being done with the Management function of direction.

3. Attains Employees Co- operation:

       Sound direction results in fruitful realization of the objectives of the management through securing full employees co- operation

4. Defines Course Of Action:

       Direction is the heart of Management functions as it determines the course of action and provides dynamic leadership to the organisation.

5. Provides Training and Teaching:

       Direction also provides required training and teaching to the employees. This inculcates in the employees a keen appreciation of the enterprise tradition, history, objectives and policies.

6. Provides Strategy For Survival And Success:

       The greatest importance of direction is that it is dynamic in nature. This dynamic aspect formulates strategies with special and skilled efforts that helps the organisation to adapt to the changing environment and helps not only to survive but also to excel in business.

7. Assumption Of Moral Responsibility:

       Direction assumes a substantial moral responsibility to understand the needs, desires and aspirations of the employees and creates a sense of belonging among the employees.

8. Results Oriented:

       Sound direction is always result oriented as it identifies the groups and their interests It channelises the employees perceptions, beliefs and emotions and ensures full measures of support.

       To conclude, the role of direction can be put into a gist by quoting the words of urwick and Brech- �It is the guidance, the inspiration, the leadership of the men and women that constitute the real core of the responsibility of Management.�

Characteristics Of Direction:
  1. It follows the scalar chain. The order moves from top Management, to the Middle; middle to the lower level of Management. From the lower level it goes to the departmental executives and finally to the employees under than.
  2. Direction not only issues orders but also provides for necessary supervision and taking necessary steps for actual performance.
  3. The essence of direction is that it act as a friend, philosopher and guide. It creates a homely atmosphere, explain orders issued and remove misunderstanding (of any sort) and guides men in all aspects and takes necessary rectifying. Steps (if any).
  4. Direction is closely associated with co- ordination to remove the conflict between personal interest and general interest.
  5. It is a dynamic process.
Steps In The Process Of Direction:

       The Management function of direction is the process of materializing all the Managerial decisions, plans and policies into effective and worthily actions.

       The steps in the process of direction are as follows:

1. Motivation:

       Motivation is the process of creating a sense of willingness and inspiring employees to work with zeal and initiative. Motivation is the actuating force which inspires an employee to put his best effects in the accomplishment of the assigned task. The process of motivation infuses enthusiasm, initiative and loyalty among all the employees of the organisation irrespective of levels.

2. Leadership:

       Leadership is the process of influencing the behavior of the employees towards the achievement of the desired goals. The success of a manager is highly influenced by the fact as to how much effective he is as a leader. Leadership is the Ability to make people act the way the Manager or leader wants. The essence of leadership is making the people follow the leader by their consent.

3. Supervision:

       Supervision is the process of superintending, inspecting and overseeing the work of the employee. It is process of assisting and guiding the employees, creating willingness and spontaneity, their mutual trust and confidence in work performance which is very important in the achievement of desired goals of the organisation.

4. Communication:

       Communication is the process of transmitting information and understanding from one person to mother or from one unit to another. It is a bridge of meaning. Dynamic in nature, communication is a systematic process of listening, understanding and telling.

5. Co- ordination:

       Co- ordination is the process of arranging the activities of the people of the organisation in relation to time, place and effort in such a way that each item is taken care of according to the needs of the situation. Coordination is the concerted efforts of requisite quality and quantity given at the proper time, It implies putting together all the efforts of an enterprise carefully unified and blended so as to provide or put forward a common purpose.