1.0 INTRODUCTION Directing and leading is the last management function we are going
to consider in this course. And this note is the last one too for this course. Last
note, we discussed
controlling and co-ordinating.
We saw their useful and their nature and they form part of the
management process. Remember what we said in the beginning when we started
looking at the management functions. We pointed out these functions are not to
be considered as if they are separate and airtight. They are connected with one
another, they work as a system.
As a result, if any one of them is not properly applied the whole
process of manager will suffer. All the functions are important and should be performed
diligently. Directing and leading is the inter-personal relations of mangers
and their subordinates. It concerns those interactions that managers need to
have with their subordinates. You distance yourself from your subordinates.
Subordinates must be given guidance through good communication and
by ability to lead. This is because dealing with subordinates involves complex
patterns of behaviours which must be analyzed and understood. That is why
superior offices must understand themselves thoroughly well.
They must also understand their subordinates very well and work out
appropriate motivation packages depending on the circumstance that will make
the employees to work. Some of all these issues can not be treated in detail in
this course. We are going to carry them over to the next one. Principles and
theories of leadership and motivation will be corrected in our next course
together with other important principles that
225 we could not address sufficiently in this course.
Presently, we are going to look at three keys areas and all of
them introductory in scope. We shall be discussing shortly the communication
principles, leadership and motivation. Under leadership we shall examine the
qualities of a good leader, while in motivation; we shall be highlighting the
techniques on human relations.
2.0 OBJECTIVES
By the end of this note, you should be able to:
· define communication
· list the importance of communication in organization
· explain what is leadership
· the ingredients of leadership in organizations
· qualities of a good leadership
· techniques of good human relations.
3.0 MAIN CONTENT
3.1 Definition of Communication
Communication is the process of transferring information from a
sender to a receiver with the information being understood by the receiver. The
key areas here in this definition concern the sender of the communication, the
transmission of the message and the receiver of the message.
But we have to note that there can be noise. Noise is any thing
that interferes with good communication. We should note the need for feedback
because that is what facilitates communication. We shall be examining of all
and more including electronic media in communication in our second course in
management which comes up in the second semester.
3.2 Importance of Communication Communication plays key roles in every
organization. The importance of communication can be seen from the following:
3.2.1 Communication
is the means by which people are linked together in an organization. We have
already stressed this point when we were treating co-ordinating. Can you still
recollect what we said there?
3.2.2 Arising from the first point we have just said, communication enables
people to achieve organization’s objectives. Without communication, you are
helpless and may know what to do. You may not know even the objectives of the
organization and how to go about achieving them
3.2.3 Communication
makes it possible for changes to happen through the formulation and execution
of plans. As a result, planning is impossible without communication.
3.2.4 Through communication, it is possible to organize human and material
resources in the most effective and efficient manner.
3.2.5 Communication makes it possible to select, develop, appraise members
of staff in an organization.
3.2.6 It is through communication that the manager can be able to lead, direct,
motivate and create a climate in which people will want to contribute.
3.2.7 To control
performance so that the objectives which have already been set is impossible
without good communication system.
3.3 Leadership The
managerial function of leading is simply the process of influencing people so
that they will contribute to the goals of the organization. To lead is to
influence, to guide and to motivate. We will be discussing more on the
principles and theories of leadership again in our next course. The leader
encourages people to develop not only willingness to work but also willingness
to work with zeal and confidence. Zeal is order, earnestness and intensity in
the execution of work; confidence reflects experience and technical ability. A
leader ensures the development of all these and more. He does not stand behind
a group simply to push and produce. He stands at the forefront before the group
as he facilitates progress and inspires the group to accomplish goals.
3.4 Ingredients of Leadership
3.4.1 Leaders look at the future and create mental pictures of which they
want to be happy. People perish for lack of vision. But leaders envisage the
future and make things to happen. They are not satisfied with the status quo;
they always seek for improvement.
3.4.2 Leaders instill values wherever they are. These values can be good
quality of the goods and services they are making, values for honesty, concern
for employees, and concern for customers.
3.4.3 Leaders have the power which they use effectively and in a most responsible
manner.
3.4.4 They have the ability to know that human beings have different needs
at different times. They try to satisfy these needs.
3.4.5 They always a source of inspiration to others. Even when they are
not around the work goes on.
3.4.6 They have the ability to act in a manner that will develop a climate
conducive to mental and physical efforts which are satisfying to both the
employees, customers and organization.
3.5 Qualities of a good
Leader
From all what we have said in 3-4, you can summarize what can be regarded
as the qualities which a good leader has. These are in the following ways:
3.5.1 A leader must posses’ energy. A lazy and weak person can not be a
meaningful leader. The energy is not only physical energy but also mental
energy as well as spiritual energy too.
3.5.2 Emotional Stability: This is important because it enables the leader
to act with self confidence. He avoids anger, resentment, 228 fear and other negative emotions and
reactions. All this is necessary so that he can be able to lead the
subordinates with understanding.
3.5.3 The leader has a good knowledge of human relations. Human relations
demand a good understanding of human behaviours and construction reactions to
these behaviours.
3.5.4 Empathy. The leader has to put him in the position of the subordinates.
He must not take decision solely at his own level. He must assess the impact of
an intending decision on his followers. He has to look at things objectively
from the subordinate’s point of view.
3.5.5 Personal motivation. The leader wants to start something new. He
has initiative. He has ideas which he wants to put into practice. The
enthusiasm is there and is always a self starter.
3.5.6 Communication skill which is the ability to write and talk forcefully.
The leader message is always clear and to the point. He uses other forms of non
verbal communication such as smiles, gesticulations among others to convey his
message to the audience.
3.5.7 Teaching and
loading ability which enables the leader to develop and inspire his
subordinates.
3.5.8 Social skill: This enables the leader to understand people and know
their strengths and weaknesses. All these make him to be friendly and
approachable.
3.5.9 Technical skill which provides him with an effective knowledge and
insights of the work operations under his guidance and so previsions.
3.6 Techniques of Human Relations
A good leader in exercise of his qualities ensures good human
relations. He knows that not much can be accomplished on individual basis but
in groups, a lot can be done. He makes the employees to work purposefully as a
team through adequate motivation. The techniques commonly employed for this
purpose are following:
3.6.1 Friendliness and approval: The leader has to be friendly with those
working with his as well as outsiders. The depth of friendship should be well
rooted on sincerely the desire to get 229
along with every one. The subordinates expect this because they depend on the
leader/manager for a lot of things. They want to be accepted. They also want
approval from their leader over constructive behaviours. Mistakes should be
corrected with understanding and good performance rewarded adequately. The subordinates
want to know that the boss values him and approves of him.
3.6.2 Consistency
and Fairness: Inconsistent behaviour by a leader or manager can be a source of
anxiety and imitation. If it goes on, the subordinates might get totally
frustrated with the entire job. This is why consistent behaviour from the
leader makes the subordinates to develop confidence since they know what the leader
wants and how they can respond to his demands.
3.6.3 Support subordinates: Support can come in a variety of forms such
as seeking for their promotions, assisting when any of them alls sick, settling
disputes among so as to maintain peace and harmony.
3.6.4 Use of Participation: This is used primarily as a tool for better decision.
That is why both the manager and subordinates should always come together and
decide on what to do. The subordinates will be committed to such decisions
because they contributed to their making.
3.6.5 Closeness of Supervision: Once assignment has been defined and the
time to accomplish it has agreed, subordinates should be left alone to perform.
The leader only needs to monitor progress through reports. However, if the work
is sensitive and /or difficult and as a result, the subordinate call for closer
supervision, it can be extended to him.
3.6.6 Settlement of Grievances: Conflicts and grievances are bound to occupy
in a group. This is because members of a group have difficult background and
conflicting interests. But whenever conflicts and /or grievances arise, whether
a major or minor one, the leader should quickly intervene and reconcile the
parties involved.
3.6.7 Two-way Communication: There should always be a two-way communication.
While the leader sends out messages, he must listen for the feedback.
Similarly, at certain circumstances, the subordinates can initiate communication.
In this instance, they are the senders of messages while the leader is the
receiver.
4.0 CONCLUSION
We have discussed the last management function which is on
directing and leading. The function involves inter personal relations between
the manager and the subordinates which are achieve through communication.
Communication can be oral or written or a combination of the two. It must be
clear and direct to the point. We discussed too leadership in terms of its
meaning, the ingredients of good leadership as well as the qualities for good
human relation which the leader/manager should always apply.
5.0 SUMMARY
Directing and leading is the last function of management we are
going to consider. We have discussed forecasting, planning organizing,
coordinating, controlling, staffing and directing and leading. Some of the features
of these functions will be further examined and covered in greater detail in
our next house.
0 comments:
Post a Comment