DIRECTING/ LEADING AS A MANAGEMENT FUNCTION

OVERVIEW
Leadership in organizations seriously affect the performance of employees. Directing people to
a common purpose needs
strong leadership.
Directing/leading is a key element in the process of management. After formulating the plans for
accomplishing the pre-determined
goals, the organizational structure is prepared and suitable persons are designated to
appropriate roles, and the organization
commences its operations. However, necessary actions will only initiate after a command in
chief provides direction to the higher-level
management.
Successful firms regard the leadership skill requirement as a high priority concern. Engineer
managers, in whatever management level
they happen to be, are expected to maintain effective work forces. To be able to do so, they are
required to perform leadership roles.
OBJECTIVES
At the end of the course, the students must be equipped with a working knowledge on the
nature of leadership and how leaders
influence others; explain the bases/forms of power; identify the traits and skills of effective
leaders; and differentiate the behavioral
approaches to leadership skills.
LEARNING FOCUS
Please refer to the Powerpoint Presentation in the Google Classroom
Word format copy of the lecture is in a separate sheet
Supplement Learning Materials (Videos)
 https://youtu.be/urrYhnaKvy4 (How to be a Leader)
 https://youtu.be/nD6tUEp1lws (Story of Competency Building, Leadership, and Teamwork)
 https://youtu.be/YP3rgOrtQkY (The Story of your Life)
SUMMARY
Leadership is an important function of management which helps to maximize efficiency and to
achieve organizational goals. Providing
guidance- A leader has to not only supervise but also play a guiding role for the
subordinates/followers.
The process of directing/leading thus becomes the heart of the managing process and acts as a
link connecting the functions of
Planning, Organizing and Staffing with Controlling and Coordination and other managerial
functions
LEARNING ACTIVITY
Answer the questions concisely.
1. Go through each bases/forms of power and write down when and how you've used it.
Ask yourself if you used the power
appropriately. Consider the expected and unexpected consequences, and decide what
you'll do differently next time.
2.Think about the people who have power and influence over you. What sources of power do
they use? Do they use their power
appropriately?
3. Why is it important for a leader to have the “desire to lead”?
REFERENCES
Engineering management by Roberto g. medina
http://web.mit.edu/curhan/www/docs/Articles/15341_Readings/Power/French_&_Raven_St
udies_Social_Power_ch9_pp150-167.pdf
https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newLDR_56.htm
https://granite.pressbooks.pub/ld820/chapter/6/
https://www.managementstudyguide.com/directing_function.htm
https://www.coursehero.com/file/29938639/DIRECTING-FUNCTION-OF-MANAGEMENTdoc/