Directing — Class 12 Business Studies

Directing is the management function of instructing, guiding, communicating with, inspiring and supervising employees so that they work towards organisational goals. Its features are: it initiates action, runs at every level, flows from top to bottom, is a continuous process and brings together the human factor. Its importance lies in initiating action, integrating efforts, motivating employees to give their best, providing stability and balance, and coping with changes in the environment. Directing has four important elements — supervision, motivation, leadership and communication. Supervision means overseeing subordinates at work; a supervisor links management and workers. Motivation is the process of stimulating people to act and reach goals. A motive is an inner state that energises behaviour, and incentives may be financial (pay, bonus, profit sharing, perquisites) or non-financial (status, recognition, job security, employee participation, autonomy). Maslow's need hierarchy theory explains motivation through five ascending needs: physiological, safety, social, esteem and self-actualisation. Leadership is the process of influencing people to direct their efforts towards goals; a good leader shows physical features, knowledge, integrity, initiative, communication skills, decisiveness, motivation skills, self-confidence and social skill. Communication is the exchange of ideas and understanding; it may be formal (following the official chain through vertical, horizontal or diagonal flow) or informal (the grapevine). Barriers to communication may be semantic, psychological, organisational or personal, and can be overcome by clarifying ideas, consistent messages, feedback and good listening.