Directing Flashcards
Directing
Simple Definition- Giving Instructions and Guiding people to do work
Organizational Definition of Directing
Instructing, guiding, motivating, counselling and leading people to achieve organizational objectives.
What is managerial process that takes place throughout the life of an organization?
Directing
Features of Directing
There are 4 features of directing. Namely, Initiates action, pervasive, continuous and flows from top to bottom.
Which feature of Directing implements the action plan set at the time of planning?
Directing Initiates Action
Which function of Management doesn’t prepare a setting for action?
Directing (it initiates action in an organization)
Q:
A manager provides motivation to his team during strategy execution, gives real-time feedback, and ensures they don’t fall behind targets. Which feature of directing is being highlighted?
A. It initiates action
B. It is pervasive
C. It is continuous
D. It is situational
Answer: C. It is continuous
(Explanation: The manager is constantly involved — direction never ends at one stage.)
Q:
A team leader, a middle manager, and a CEO — all are involved in issuing directions and supervising their respective teams. This reflects that directing is:
A. Optional for top management
B. Required only at lower levels
C. A time-bound activity
D. A pervasive function
Answer: D. A pervasive function
(Explanation: Directing happens at all levels of management, not just at the top or bottom.)
Q:
Why is it incorrect to say that directing flows upward in the organisation?
A. Because lower-level employees do not participate in decision-making
B. Because feedback is not a part of directing
C. Because direction is passed down from higher levels to lower levels
D. Because only top-level managers know the company’s goal
Answer: C. Because direction is passed down from higher levels to lower levels
(Explanation: While feedback may flow upward, the act of directing always flows top → down.)
Q:
After recruitment and training, employees are waiting for instruction. Which importance of directing activates the workforce by translating plans into action?
A. Integrates efforts
B. Initiates action
C. Provides structure
D. Facilitates growt
Answer: B. Initiates action
(Trap word: “Activates” → tempting to confuse with motivation or structure)
Q:
Despite working in different departments, employees are aligned through a manager’s continuous guidance and communication. Which importance of directing does this reflect?
A. Enhances productivity
B. Builds coordination
C. Integrates efforts
D. Standardises operation
Answer: C. Integrates efforts
(Trap word: “Coordination” → but true integration is about aligning goals, not just working together)
Q:
To improve employee performance, the manager introduces recognition programs and encourages open dialogue. This use of non-financial incentives highlights which importance of directing?
A. Builds team spirit
B. Facilitates change
C. Guides Employees
D. Ensures communication
Answer: C. Directing guides employees
(Trap words: “Recognition,” “Dialogue” → might feel like team spirit or communication, but this is clearly motivational)
Q:
When a firm adopts a new tech system, management uses meetings, training, and transparent messaging to help employees transition smoothly. This shows directing:
A. Stabilises output
B. Facilitates change
C. Maintains structure
D. Builds authority
Answer: B. Directing Facilitates change
(Trap phrase: “transition smoothly” could be mistaken for motivation or supervision)
Q:
In a high-pressure workplace, consistent supervision, clear communication, and emotional support help employees maintain focus. This role of directing primarily helps:
A. Enforce decisions
B. Maintain discipline
C. Provide stability and balance
D. Streamline output
Answer: C. Provide stability and balance
(Trap keywords: “focus,” “pressure,” “discipline” — but the core is emotional/operational consistency)
- Principle: Maximum Individual Contribution
Q:
A manager modifies incentive plans so that employees feel personally rewarded for their performance, while also aligning tasks with their strengths. This reflects which principle of directing?
A. Unity of Command
B. Maximum Individual Contribution
C. Managerial Efficiency
D. Team Spirit
Answer: B. Maximum Individual Contribution
(Trap keyword: “personally rewarded” could confuse with motivation, but this is about aligning individual goals with org goals.)
- Principle: Harmony of Objectives
Q:
While the company wants to boost profits, the manager also ensures that employees’ needs for recognition and career growth are met. Which directing principle is this?
A. Harmony of Objectives
B. Supervision and Control
C. Unity of Direction
D. Equity
Answer: A. Harmony of Objectives
(Trap phrase: “career growth” might pull you toward motivation or equity — but it’s about balancing org vs individual objectives.)
- Principle: Unity of Command
Q:
A production supervisor tells a worker to change the process flow, while the maintenance head gives him conflicting instructions. This violates which principle of directing?
A. Managerial Clarity
B. Unity of Direction
C. Unity of Command
D. Organisational Discipline
Answer: C. Unity of Command
(Trap: “Direction” sounds tempting here, but direction refers to common objectives, not orders from multiple people.)
- Principle: Appropriate Technique
Q:
A firm uses a mix of bonuses, personal recognition, and suggestion schemes to keep different employees motivated. Which principle of directing does this follow?
A. Fair Incentives
B. Appropriate Technique
C. Organisational Flexibility
D. Maximum Participation
Answer: B. Appropriate Technique
(Trap: “Fair incentives” and “participation” both sound correct — but this is about using different methods for different people.)
- Principle: Managerial Communication
Q:
A manager ensures that every instruction given is clearly understood by the team and encourages questions if anything is unclear. Which principle of directing is being followed?
A. Unity of Direction
B. Managerial Communication
C. Supervision
D. Feedback Control
Answer: B. Managerial Communication
(Trap word: “feedback” might pull you toward supervision or control, but this is about clarity and two-way flow of instruction.)
- Principle: Use of Informal Organisation
Q:
An HR manager identifies influencers within informal groups and uses them to spread a positive attitude toward a new appraisal policy. Which principle is being applied here?
A. Motivation through Leadership
B. Use of Informal Organisation
C. Authority and Responsibility
D. Flexibility in Direction
Answer: B. Use of Informal Organisation
(Trap: “Influencers” and “positive attitude” might lead you to motivation — but it’s about leveraging informal networks.)
- Principle: Leadership
Q:
During a conflict, the team lead motivates employees by listening to their concerns and helping them refocus on team goals. Which principle is reflected here?
A. Managerial Empathy
B. Motivation
C. Leadership
D. Team Coordination
Answer: C. Leadership
(Trap: “Listening” and “refocus” could look like empathy or motivation — but it’s the guiding and influencing aspect that defines leadership here.)
- Principle: Follow-through
Q:
After giving instructions, a manager regularly checks in to see how well they are being implemented and addresses any roadblocks faced by the team. Which principle does this illustrate?
A. Managerial Control
B. Follow-through
C. Coordination
D. Directional Feedback
Answer: B. Follow-through
(Trap: “Checks in” could feel like supervision or control — but follow-through is about sustaining direction beyond the initial instruction.)
Recap of All 8 Principles:
A leader (Leadership) sends clear messages (Managerial Communication) to his team through both official and friendly chats (Use of Informal Organisation).
He uses the right tools (Appropriate Technique) to match their styles and ensures everyone’s goals align (Harmony of Objectives).
To keep them motivated, he connects their success to the company’s (Maximum Individual Contribution) and gives one person clear instructions (Unity of Command).
Then he follows up (Follow-through) to make sure nothing slips.
Who described the statement “ direction is the executive function of guiding and observing subordinates”?
Koontz and O’Donnell
