Principles of Hotel Management

Direction : Thus, directing is the process of guiding,
instructing, motivating, influencing and leading subordinates

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Principles of Hotel Management
with a view to achieve organisational objectives efficiently and
effectively. It includes issuing of orders, explaining procedures
to the subordinates and seeing that they do their tasks to the
best of their ability.
The nature or function of directing has been discussed in
the following features/characteristics :
Directing is one of the most important functions of
management. Marshall Dimock calls it the ‘heart of
administration (management)’. In fact, it is an
indispensable function of management because it
is concerned with initiating, mobilising, influencing
and integrating human resource of the organisation.
Directing is all pervasive function. It is performed by all the
managers at every level of the organisation. However, the amount
of time and effort spent on directing varies by the level of
managers. Directing is a continuous or on-going process. It is
not a one-time activity or one-shot action. A manager never
ceases to direct, guide, teach, coach and supervise his
subordinates.
[Haimann]
Every manager has to guide, supervise, motivate or lead
his subordinates continuously.
Directing is an integrating and connecting function between
the other functions of managerial process.
[Haimann]
Directing is a dynamic function. The style of directing depends
on the level of subordinates and prevailing circumstances.
Directing function has two-fold objectives :
(i) To accomplish organisation objectives, and
(ii) To develop managers. Thus, directing aims at not only
to accomplish objectives but also to develop future
managers.
Directing is the process around which all performance
revolves. It is the essence of operations.
[Haimann]

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Basics of Management
47
Without proper direction, no task can be effectively performed.
It is essential for effective performance of tasks.
Directing consists of many activities and processes. It
consists of issuing orders and instructions, explaining procedures
to the subordinates. It involves motivating and leading
subordinates and seeing that they do their tasks to the best of
their abilities.
Directing is the core of human relations at work. It deals with
interpersonal human relationships at work. Therefore, sometimes,
it is also referred as the ‘people’ function of management. It
involves the study and influencing the human behaviour and
relations. Directing is founded upon communication system. In
the absence of effective communication system, directing function
can never be performed.
Marshall E. Dimock has very rightly stated that “the heart
of administration is the directing function. . . .”
Without directing, management process remains incomplete.
It is wrong to assume that good planning and good organising
will automatically result in the subordinates performance of the
assigned duties. The function of directing deserves equal attention
along with other functions. Haimann has observed that “In order
to make any managerial decision really meaningful, it is
necessary to convert it into effective action which the manager
accomplishes by directing.” Briefly, the importance of directing
is discussed in the following points :
Directing is essential to get the things done through
others. Without proper guidance, instructions,
supervision, motivation, no manager can get the
things done as per plans. Theo Haimann has rightly
observed that “nothing happens until and unless the
car is put into gear and accelerator depressed.
Without the issuance of directives, without guiding
and overseeing subordinates, nothing or at best
very little would be accomplished.”

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