Directing

Lesson

Part 1: what directing is, why it matters, supervision and span of control, and motivation through Maslow's needs.

In this lesson you will

Part 1 at a glance

Concept

What is directing?

Directing means instructing, guiding, supervising, motivating and leading people so that they work towards the goals of the organisation.

Table of the four elements of directing (supervision, motivation, leadership and communication) with what the manager does in each
Element of directing	What the manager does
Supervision	Watches and guides work on the floor
Motivation	Makes people want to give their best
Leadership	Influences people to follow willingly
Communication	Passes ideas and instructions both ways

Concept

Table of four features of directing: it initiates action, is pervasive, is continuous and flows from top to bottom
Feature	Meaning
Initiates action	Work starts only when people are told and guided
Pervasive	Done at every level and in every kind of organisation
Continuous	Goes on throughout the life of the organisation
Flows downward	Each superior directs the people just below