Directing refers to that part of the management process which makes sure that the members of an organization are working effectively and efficiently to attain the desired objectives.
As a function of management, directing is concerned with guiding, instructing, supervising and inspiring employees so that they can achieve the predetermined objectives.
It involves overseeing people at work, issuing orders and instructions to subordinates and creating a work environment wherein the employees can perform to the best of their abilities.
The subordinates are provided leadership and they are motivated through the process of directing. There is few importance of directing that must be remembered for assignment help or help in homework on the topic, which are as follows:
- Initiates Action:
The life spark of an enterprise is constituted through directing which also sets it into motion. Direction helps to initiate all the activities of an organization. In order to achieve the predetermined goals of the organization, direction aims at activating employees to work. The actual work of the directing function is to convert the plans into results.
- Improves Efficiency:
There is some potential in every member of a workgroup. This potential is utilized by managers through motivation and leadership which are considered to be a part of directing.
In order to achieve the organizational objectives, a manager persuades his subordinates to contribute their maximum efforts and to work to the best of their abilities. Manager get work done through people through the process of directing.
- Facilitates Change:
The change in the modern business environment is very frequent. An enterprise must learn to adjust itself according to the changes in its environment. For instance, to improve efficiency of clerical operations, it may be mandatory to install a computer in the office.
Due to fear of adverse effect on their employment and promotions, employees often resist such changes. Employees must be informed about the benefits and needs of such changes to remove such fear.
- Balance in the Organization:
In order to satisfy their personal needs and goals such as promotion, income, sense of fulfilment, etc., individuals join organization. However, organizations have their own objectives and interest such as making profits, increasing sales, good public image, etc.
With the help of directing function, managers bring out balance between organizational interest of employees and individual interests. If we satisfy organizational goals, through motivation, guidance and leadership managers can make employees realize that they can achieve their personal goals.
- Helps Stability and Growth:
An enterprise can survive and grow with the help of efficient directing. When the right direction is provided, it can expand and grow. Through effective motivation, leadership and interpersonal communication, managers would be able to fully utilize the capabilities of employees.
An American psychologist Abraham H. Maslow has developed a classification of human needs which is known as Hierarchy of Needs. Maslow said that human needs can be classified into five categories and can be positioned according to their importance or priority.
There are the needs which are to be kept in mind when we are studying about the Maslow’s theory and that would offer assignment help to the students. The needs are as follows:
- Physiological needs:
The need for water, sleep, air, food, sex, etc. is included in the physiological needs. For maintain the human life, satisfaction of such needs is essential. Hence, physiological needs are also termed as survival needs.
These needs are to be satisfied only in a limited way as these needs are finite. A man would struggle for food alone till the time he doesn’t have enough food to satisfy his hunger. Once he has satisfied his hunger, he would not be happy with bread alone.
By offering comfortable working conditions and good salary, an organization can satisfy the physiological needs of its employees.
- Safety or Security needs:
The physical safety against danger such as fire, wild animals, extreme weather conditions, accident, dacoity, etc. and economic security such as sickness, old age, etc. are included in the safety or security needs.
Hence, a person wants clothing, pension, shelter, life insurance, etc. Freedom from fear or threat can be provide with the help of these needs. By offering pension, group insurance, job security, gratuity, housing, etc. an employer can satisfy needs of his employees.
- Social or Affiliation needs:
Man has a social nature that is, he needs affection, association, love, a sense of belonging, friendship with others. Hence, an individual creates relatives, clubs, family, friends, etc.
By providing opportunity for friendship on the job and encouraging team building, organization can satisfy these needs.
- Ego or Esteem needs:
Self-esteem and esteem of others are included in the ego or esteem needs. Self-esteem includes self-respect, self-confidence, etc. esteem of others means prestige, independence, recognition, power, status, achievement and respect from others. By recognizing good performance, offering challenging jobs, providing good job titles, etc., organization can satisfy these needs.
- Self-actualization Needs:
This includes the desire to become what one is capable of becoming. The need to self-fulfillment and the need to grow is included in the self-actualization needs.
Since there is no limit to progress, these limits are said to be physiological and infinite. For instance, a mountaineer will have the urge to climb Mount Everest after he has climbed a few peaks.
In order to satisfy their self-actualization needs, a manager may provide opportunities to encourage creativity, allow risk-taking, continuous learning and grant independence to employees.
There are few assumptions on which the Maslow’s theory is based, which are as follows:
- There are different needs which are required by each human. The behavior of a human is influenced by the satisfaction of these needs.
- A hierarchy is formed of a human behavior which starts from basic needs to higher level needs.
- When a need is satisfied, it ceases to be a motivator.
- A person immediately moves to the next higher-level needs as soon as his lower-level need is satisfied.
Therefore, this was all one need to get help in homework on the topic of directing in management.
