, MODULE 3 - Directing and Controlling
Meaning and nature of directing:
Direction
● Means issuance of orders and leading and motivating subordinates as they go about
executing orders
● Consists of the process and techniques utilized in issuing instructions and making certain
that operations are carried on as originally planned.
● Is vital in managerial function
● Is used to stimulate action by giving direction to his subordinates through orders and also
supervise their work to ensure that the plans and policies achieve the desired actions and
results.
● To conclude direction is the process of utilizing the techniques in issuing instructions
and making certain that operations are carried out on as originally planned.
Requirements or principles of effective direction:
1) Harmony of objectives: The goals of its members must be in complete harmony with the
goals of an organization. The manager must direct the subordinates in such a way that they
perceive their goals to be in harmony with enterprise objectives. For Example the company’s
profits may be associated with the employee’s gains by giving additional bonus or promotion.
2) Unity of Command: The subordinates must receive orders and instructions from one
supervisor only the violation of which may lead to conflicting orders, divided loyalties and
decreased personal responsibility for results.
3) Direct supervision Every supervisor must maintain face-to-face contact with his subordinates
which boosts the morale of the employees, increases their loyalty and provides them with
feedback on how well they are doing.
4) Efficient Communication: Communication is an instrument of direction through which the
supervisor gives orders, allocates jobs, explains duties and ensures performance.
Communication is a two way process which enables the superior to know how his subordinates
feel about the company and how the company feels on a number of issues concerning them. In
communication comprehension is more important than the content.
5) Follow-through: Is an act of following through the whole performance of his subordinates to
keep track on their activities, help them in their acts and point out deficiencies if any and revise
their direction if required.
Leadership
● Is an important aspect of managing.
● Leadership is defined as Influence that is the art or process of influencing people so that
they will strive willingly and enthusiastically towards the achievement of group goals.
, ● In other words, people should be encouraged to develop not only willingness to work but
also willingness to work with zeal and confidence.
● The will to do is triggered by leadership and lukewarm desires for achievements are
transformed into burning passion for successive accomplishment by the skilful use of
leadership (George R Terry)
● Leadership is the lifting of man’s visions to higher sights, the raising of man’s
performance to a higher standard, the building of man’s personality beyond its normal
limitation. (Peter Drucker)
● Leadership is the ability to secure desirable actions from a group of follower voluntarily
without the use of coercion. (Alford and Beatty)
● Leadership is the ability to persuade others to seek defined objectives enthusiastically. It
is the human factor which binds a group together and motivates it towards goals. (Keith
Davis)
1) Traits:
Basically a character and deals with personal abilities and assumed to be God’s gift and
abilities. They are identified as mental and physical energy, emotional stability, knowledge of
human relations, empathy, objectivity, personal motivation, communication skills, teaching
ability, social skills, technical competence, friendliness and affection, integrity and faith,
intelligence etc.
Traits approaches – Trait theories argue that leaders share a number of common
personality traits and characteristics, and that leadership emerges from these traits. Early trait
theories promoted the idea that leadership is an innate, instinctive quality that you either have or
don't have. Now we have moved on from this approach, and we're learning more about what we
can do as individuals to develop leadership qualities within ourselves and others. Traits are
external behaviors that emerge from things going on within the leader's mind – and it's these
internal beliefs and processes that are important for effective leadership.
Drawbacks
1) Failed to identify right traits required for effective leadership
2) Difficult to associate the traits with jobs to be carried out. A leader who is successful
in one area may be a failure in different area
3) Traits are subjective, it is difficult to measure their effectiveness quantitatively
4) This approach implies that leadership is in built quality and no training can make a
person leader.
2) Behavioral approach –
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