Various Elements of Directing

Directing is regarded as one of the primary management principles, also known as the heart of management. It comes with other management elements such as organising, planning, staffing, and controlling. In simple terms, directing is a primary principle as, without proper direction, other management functions would not be possible. Mainly, it is an authoritative activity done by high-level management as they are responsible for giving the necessary guidance to meet the project goals. 

In this article, we will explore the Various Elements of Directing, the characteristics of directing, and the principle of directing in management in detail. Let’s get started with the Various Elements of Directing without further ado. 

What is Directing? 

Directing is a management function mainly handled by higher-level managers as it involves guiding and directing employees to meet the goals set in the planning stage. It would be nearly impossible to tackle the next step without this management principle. As long as the business runs, the direction is a continuous process. 

Also, it makes sure that all organisations’ activities are carried out as per strategies formed in the planning phase. Therefore, it is said that an organisation without proper direction does not attract valuable results. By looking at the record, it can be concluded that organisations that have followed the path of appropriate direction have grown exponentially.

Elements of Directing 

There are mainly four elements of directing. These include:

• Communication

Communication can be defined as a process of sending and receiving specific messages either through verbal communication or non-verbal communication. The communication method mainly involves two types of communication; oral and speech. Note communication is always two-way, where thoughts, opinions, and feelings are shared between two or more than two individuals. Without communication, life wouldn’t be as easy in an organisation. 

Without communication, nearly nothing would be possible in an organisation. Hence, it can be said a manager’s efficiency can be measured with his ability to communicate. Communication promotes exchanging ideas, bringing harmony and purpose that facilitates coordination. While directing, communication can be two-way where the information flows from the supervisor and reaches subordinates.

• Leadership

Leadership is another critical element of directing, which involves persuasion and motivation to achieve organisational goals. A leader can motivate their people through influencing words and, most importantly, actions. In simple terms, in an organisation, leadership can be defined as guiding, inspiring, and leading the subordinates to achieve goals set in the planning phase. 

• Supervision

Supervision is the next step once all the information has been conveyed to the subordinates. Here, the supervisor is responsible for eyeing if the subordinates stick to the plan and follow all the instructions. If there are any deviations, proper instructions are given to rectify the mistake before the loss occurs. In simple terms, a supervisor is the problem solver of the team working towards a specific goal. 

• Motivation

Motivation is driven from an existing word, “motive”, which means they need to do something to get the required satisfaction. In simple terms, motivation can be defined as a process that maintains, initiates, guides, and attracts goal-oriented behaviour. Due to motivation, you tend to get up and work towards achieving your aim every day. Motivation plays a significant role in the work environment and benefits differently. 

The importance of motivation cannot be put in words as it can change an individual’s entire life. Every time motivation is provided in the work environment, either from a senior or colleague, it boosts energy to perform better. Ultimately, it improves the overall performance level of an employee. 

Human behaviour can be termed as goal-oriented. However, motivation greatly determines this behaviour. If a person is motivated, they are most likely to perform better as it helps people understand their needs and tackle the emerging issues in the organisation effectively.

Importance of Directing 

Directing is termed as one of the most crucial functions in an organisation. Proper directing most of the time improves the overall functioning, thus attracting more significant results. Here are specific points that reflect the importance of directing. Let’s have a look- 

• Initiates actions 
• Integrates efforts of employees
• Provide motivation 
• Accommodates changes 
• Efficient use of resources 
• Maintaining balance

Conclusion 

With this, we come to an end to our topic, which is various elements of directing. Mainly, there are four directing elements, including communication, leadership, supervision, and motivation. 

This study studied directing in length material notes on the various directing elements. We also covered the principle of directing in management and other related topics such as characteristics of directing in detail. We hope the multiple aspects of directing study material must have helped attain a greater understanding of this topic.