Cebu Normal University College of Nursing Graduate Studies

DIRECTING
LN 4005 Organizational Theory and Leadership

By NEILANI P. ALEJANDRINO, RN

MRS. SARA V. SANCHEZ, RN, MN

PROFESSOR

Directing in Management

Directing means giving instructions, guiding, counselling, motivating and leading the staff in an organisation in doing work to achieve Organisational goals. Directing is a key managerial function to be performed by the manager along with planning, organising, staffing and controlling. From top executive to supervisor performs the function of directing and it takes place accordingly wherever superior subordinate relations exist. Directing is a continuous process initiated at top level and flows to the bottom through organisational hierarchy. Directing Definition "Activating deals with the steps a manager takes to get subordinates and others to carry out plans" - Newman and Warren. Importance of Directing Direction initiates actions to get the desired results in an organisation. Direction attempts to get maximum out of employees by identifying their capabilities. Direction is essential to keep the elements like Supervision, Motivation, Leadership and Communication effective. It ensures that every employee work for organisational goals. Coping up with the changes in the Organisation is possible through effective direction. Stability and balance can be achieved through directing. Elements of Direction Supervision "Guiding and directing efforts of employees and other resources to accomplish stated work outputs" - Terry and Franklin. Supervision is an element of direction. "Day-to-day relationship between an executive and his immediate assistant and covers training, direction, motivation, coordination, maintenance of discipline, etc." - Newman and Warren. Supervision denotes the functions performed by the supervisors. Motivation "Motivation is the complex force starting and keeping a person at work in an organisation. Motivation is something that moves the person to action, and continues him in the course of action already initiates." - Dubin.

Motivation is the core of management. Technically, the term motivation can be traced to the Latin word movere, which means 'to move'. Motivating is a term which implies that one person induces another, to engage in action by ensuring that a channel to satisfy the motive becomes available to the individual. Motive is energizer of action, motivating is the channelisation and activation of motives, motivation is the work behavior itself. Motivation depends on motives and motivating. It is a complex process. Leadership "Leadership is essentially a continuous process of influencing behaviour. A leader breathes life into the group and motivates it towards goals. The lukewarm desires for achievement are transformed into burning passion for accomplishment" - George R. Terry. Leadership is the process of influencing the behavior of others to work willingly and enthusiastically for achieving predetermined goals. It is an essential ingredient for successful organisation.The successful organisation has one major attribute that sets sets it apart from unsuccessful organisation that is dynamic and effective leadership. Communication "Communication is the transfer of information from one person to another person. It is a way of reaching others by transmitting ideas, facts, thoughts, feeling sand values." - Newstrom and Davis. Communication is regarded as basic to the functioning of the organisation, in its absence, the organisation would cease to exist. It is the process through which two or more persons come to exchange ideas and understanding among themselves.

COMMENT: Directing is a continuous process, starting from the top level management going downward to the management and supervisors. Directing is considered as the most humane function of management. It is also called as the heart of management. This function involves motivation, proper communication, coaching, discipline, leadership, training, and development of skills of the organizations employees in order to attain the organizational goals, as well as the goals of each employee. Therefore, managers should be good leaders and very knowledgeable and well-oriented in directing their employees to receive a positive feedback, gain respect and cooperation from the employees. Directing is not really an easy task. Some staffs may become emotional, sensitive, or misinterprets the direction given.

A great organizational goal is one that is created not only for the success of the organization but also for the success of its people. So, managers should help their employees to meet also each of their personal objectives. Constant interaction with the manager and employees through directing helps establish a good camaraderie, thus contemplating good performance and cooperation from the employees, and making directions easier and realizing both objectives in due time.