DIRECTING

is said to be a process in which the managers instruct, guideand oversee the performance of the workers
to achieve predetermined goals.Directing is said to be the heart of management
process.Planning,organizing,staffing have got no importance if direction function does not take
place.Directing is influencing people's behavior through motivation,communication, group dynamics,
leadership and discipline. Managers give thisfunction a variety of names. Higgins calls it leading. Other
labels are: influencing,coaching, motivating, interpersonal relations, and human relations.

Definition

It is the directing style wherein managers tell their personnel what to do,how to do it and when to have
it completed by. They assign roles andresponsibilities, set standards, and define expectations.Directing is
the fourth phase of the management process. This phase couldalso be referred as coordinating, or
activating. It is the action phase of management, requiring the leadership and management skills
necessary toaccomplish the goals of the organizationIt is the issuance of orders, assignments and
directions that enable thenursing personnel understand what are expected of them. Directing
includessupervision and guidance so that in doing their job well, nurses can maximallycontribute to the
organization’s goal in general and into nursing service objectivein particular.

Elements of Directing

1. Delegation – is the assignment of authority and responsibility to another person to carry out
specific activities
 It allows subordinate to make decisions ,i.e.is a shit of decision making authority from
one organizational level to a lower one
 Delegation if properly done is not abdication. The opposite of effective delegation is
micromanagemet, where the management provides too much input , direction, and
review of delegated work
 Delegation is a vital skill for team leaders . Genuine delegation leads to a team owning
its success and increasing capacity for achievement.
2. Supervision

It means personally observing a function or activity, providing leadership in the process of nursing
care, delegating functions or activities while retaining the accountability, evaluating and ensuring
that the nursing care provided is adequate and delivered appropriately.

3. Leadership
Authoritarian
leader is characterized by the following behaviors:

 Strong control is maintained over the work group.

 Others are motivated by coercion.

 Others are directed with commands.

 Communications flows downward.

 Decision making does not involve others.

 Emphasize is on difference in status (“I” and “you”).

 Criticism is punitive
Democratic
 leader exhibits the following behaviors:

 Less control is maintained.

 Economic and ego awards are used to motivate.

 Others are directed through suggestions and guidance.

 Communication flows up and down.

 Decision making involves others.

 Emphasis is on “we” rather than “I” and “you”

 Criticism is constructive

Laissez-faire
 is characterized by the following behaviors:

 Is permissive, with little or no control

 Motivates by support when requested by the group or individuals.

 Provides little or no direction.

 Uses upward and downward communication between members of the group.

 Disperses decision making throughout the group

4.COMMUNICATION

The word communication comes from the Latin word communis, Meaning commonness.
Communication is a two-way process by which information exchanged between or among individuals
through a common system of symbols, signs and behavior.

Definition:

Communication is the process to impart information from a sender to receiver with the use of a
medium. Communication requires that all parties haven area of communicative commonality. Chitty
(2001) defines communication as the complex exchange of thoughts, ideas, or information on at least
two levels: verbal and nonverbal.

•Verbal Communication- the transmission of ideas, opinions, feelings, emotions or attitudes through the
use of words. Ex: comments, question, reactions

• Nonverbal Communication- refers to the sending of messages to another person utilizing methods or
means other than words. Ex: facial expression, gesture, eye contact.

5.COORDINATION

Functions:

•Unites personnel and services to a common objective.

•Prevents overlapping of functions, enhances good working relationship and work schedules are
finished on time.

•Enhances collaborative efforts resulting in efficient, smooth and harmonious flow of work

•Convey clearly defined polices, standard operating procedures, policies and guidelines using the proper
channels of communication.