Robbins and Coulter have presented the following ‘Need-satisfying Process’ of motivation:

(i) Unsatisfied Need: At the first step of motivation, a person feels the need of something or there is a feeling that he lacks something.

(ii) Tension: The person concerned gets tensed at the very idea of his need not being satisfied.

(iii) Drives: Drive signifies some sort of tumult in the mind of the person concerned. At this step, the person concerned endeavours to fulfil his need. The fulfilment of need depends on the direction and intensity of the drive.

(iv) Search Behaviour: At this step, a person tries to discover different options to fulfil his need. He puts the best option into operation.

(v) Need Satisfied: If the option really happens to be a correct one, satisfaction is obtained.

(vi) Reduction of Tension: The person concerned gets his tension relieved when his need is satisfied.

Following are the main principles of directing:

(i) Principle of Maximum Individual Contribution: According to this principle, management should adopt that directing policy through which employees get motivated and give their maximum individual contribution for the achievement of organisational objectives.

(ii) Principle of Harmony of Objectives: According to this principle, there must be full coordination between organisational and individual objectives. Employees work in an organisation with an objective to get better remuneration, promotion, etc. On the other hand, organisational goal can be to earn more profits and to increase market share. Management here must establish coordination between the objectives of both the parties/factors by adopting suitable method of direction.

(iii) Principle of Unity of Command: According to this principle, a subordinate should get directions from one officer at a time. If the subordinate gets directions from more than one officer, the subordinate will be unable to prioritise his work. As a result, situation of confusion, conflict and disarrangement is emerged. By following this principle, effective direction takes place.

(iv) Principle of Appropriateness of Direction Technique: According to this principle, appropriate direction techniques should be used, like to supervise effectively, to provide able leadership, to adopt free communication and to motivate through right medium.

(v) Principle of Managerial Communication: According to this principle, it should be monitored by the management that the subordinates get the same meaning for what has been said. This simplifies the job of the subordinates and they need not go to the managers, repeatedly for enquiring.

(vi) Principle of Use of Informal Organisation: According to this principle, there must be a free flow of information between seniors and subordinates. Information should be disbursed both through formal and informal mediums. Special attention should be given to the informal organisation. This strengthens formal organisation.

It refers to the process which excites people to work for the attainment of a desired objective.

A supervisor is a person who oversees what is being done by subordinates and gives instructions to ensure optimum utilisation of resources.

Following are the elements of directing:

(i) Supervision: It refers to monitor the progress of routine work of one’s subordinates and guiding them properly. Supervision is an important element of the directing function of management. Supervision has an important feature that face-to-face contact between supervisor and his subordinate is a must.

(ii) Communication: It refers to an art of transferring facts, ideas, feeling, etc. from one person to another and making him understand them. A manager has to continuously tell his subordinates about what to do, how to do, and when to do various things. Also, it is very essential to know their reactions. To do all this, it becomes essential to develop effective telecommunication facilities. Communication by developing mutual understanding inculcates a sense of cooperation which builds an environment of coordination in the organisation.

(iii) Leadership: It refers to influence others in such a manner to do work what the leader wants them to do. Leadership plays an important role in directing. Only through this quality, a manager can inculcate trust and zeal among his subordinates.

(iv) Motivation: It refers to that process which excites people to work for attainment of desired objective. Among the various factors of production, it is only the human factor which is dynamic and provides mobility to other physical resources. If human resource goes static then other resources automatically turn immobile. Thus, it becomes essential to motivate human resource to keep them dynamic, aware and eager to perform their duty. Both monetary and non-monetary incentives are given to employees for motivation.