Following is the description of several guiding principles of directing that may help in directing process:
(i) Maximum individual contribution: This principle insists that directing techniques must help every employee in the organisation to realise his maximum potential for the accomplishment of organisational objectives. It should bring out untapped energies of people to enhance the efficiency of the organisation.
(ii) Harmony of objectives: Many times, it is seen that individual objectives of employees and the organizational objectives as understood are conflicting in nature to each other. For example, an employee may expect an attractive salary and monetary benefits to fulfill his personal requirements, while an organisation may expect its employees to enhance productivity to achieve anticipated profits. But, efficient directing should provide harmony by convincing that employee rewards and work efficiency are complimentary to each other.
(iii) Unity of Command: This principle emphasises that every subordinate in the organisation should receive instructions from one superior only. If instructions are received from more than one person, it creates confusion, conflict and disorder in the organisation. Following this principle ensures effective direction.
(iv) Appropriateness of direction technique : According to this principle, appropriate motivational and leadership techniques should be used while directing the employees on the basis of subordinate needs, capabilities, attitudes and other situational variables.
(v) Managerial communication: Effective managerial communication across all the levels in the business organisation makes direction effective. In order to create total understanding to subordinates, direction should convey clear instructions to them. Through proper feedback, the managers should ensure that subordinates understand his instructions clearly.
(vi) Use of informal organisation: Informal groups or organisations exist within every formal organisation. Realizing this, the managers should identify and make use of such organisations for effective directing.
(vii) Leadership: The managers should exercise good leadership while directing their subordinates as it can influence the subordinates positively without creating dissatisfaction among them.
(viii) Follow through: On one hand, the managers should provide clear orders to their subordinates and on the other hand they should follow it up by reviewing continuously whether orders are being executed accordingly or any problems are being faced in it. Suitable modifications should also be made in the directions as and when required.
