Directing
Directing means instructing, guiding, supervising and motivating employees to achieve organisational goals. It is the executive function that initiates action. The exam tests supervision, motivation theories, leadership styles, communication and barriers.
Elements
- Supervision: overseeing workers at the operational level; a link between management and workers.
- Motivation: Maslow's hierarchy - physiological, safety, social, esteem, self-actualisation, satisfied in order. Herzberg separates hygiene factors (salary, working conditions, company policy) from motivators (achievement, recognition, responsibility).
- Leadership styles: autocratic (leader decides), democratic (consultative), laissez-faire (free rein).
- Communication: formal (official chain) and informal (grapevine); barriers can be semantic, psychological, organisational or personal.
Worked example
A software team has high salary and good facilities but low motivation. A survey shows hygiene factors are fine but recognition is missing. The manager introduces public recognition and gives developers more responsibility for design. She shifts from autocratic to democratic style, holds short weekly meetings, and removes the semantic barrier of jargon in written instructions. Output rises because motivators, not hygiene factors, were addressed.
Traps
Do not say Herzberg's hygiene factors motivate; they only prevent dissatisfaction. Leadership is not the same as management. Communication is not only downward. Laissez-faire does not mean no leadership; the leader remains responsible. Motivation and morale are related but not identical.