Page 1 - Lesson Note 1

SAI INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
Class-12
th
Business studies
Chapter – 6, Directing
Topics: Directing, Meaning, Importance.

(Lesson - 19)

Directing: Meaning

In the ordinary sense directing means giving instructions and guiding the people

to do work. In our daily life, we come across many situations like a hotel owner
directing his employees to complete certain activities for organizing a function, a

teacher directing his student to complete an assignment, a film director directing
the artists about how they should act in the film etc. It is one of the key

managerial functions performed by every manager. Directing is a managerial
process which takes place throughout the life of an organization.

In the context of management of an organization, directing refers to the process
of instructing, guiding, counseling, motivating and leading people in the

organization to achieve its objectives.

Characteristics of Directing:

The main characteristics of directing are discussed below:

(i) Directing initiates’ action: Directing is a key managerial function. A manager
has to perform this function along with planning, organizing, staffing and

controlling while discharging his duties in the organization. While other functions
prepare a setting for action, directing initiates action in the organization.

(ii) Directing takes place at every level of management: Every manager, from top
executive to supervisor performs the function of directing. The directing takes

place wherever superior – subordinate relations exist.

(iii) Directing is a continuous process: Directing is a continuous activity. It takes

place throughout the life of the organization irrespective of people occupying
managerial positions. We can observe that in organizations like Infosys, Tata,