Chapter 7: Directing

Ans: Communication between employees who are not officially related to each other is called informal communication, this type of communication may flow in any direction thus it is also called 'grapevine'. Informal communication involves the flow of information in all directions without regard for the level or authority of the sender. 

Informal communication arises from the need for employees to exchange ideas that cannot be done through formal channels. The informal communication spreads information rapidly and sometimes generates rumors.

Ans: Laissez Faire, or free rein leadership does not believe in using power unless it is absolutely necessary. Subordinates are given complete decentralisation of authority under such leadership. Hence, the subordinates are given complete autonomy and are encouraged to make their own decisions.

Ans: Encoding is the step in the communication process that involves converting the message into words, symbols, gestures, and so on.

Ans: The element is motivation. 

Also, the firm can do the following to enhance workers motivation:

• Supervisor can provide monetary incentives like wages linked with productivity to motivate the employees.

• He can encourage the workers to work by making them understand that this work will lead to increased exposure to industry and will have better job prospects.

• Opportunity for effective leadership should be provided to employees so that they get motivated, and have a sense of responsibility.
  
  

Ans: Semantics is a branch of linguistics that studies the meaning of words and sentences. Semantic barriers are problems and impediments in the process of encoding and decoding messages into words or impressions. Typically, such barriers arise as a result of the use of incorrect words, erroneous translations, or differing interpretations. Some of the causes of semantic barriers are as follows.

1. Badly Expressed Message: The information may not be clearly expressed at times due to a lack of vocabulary or incorrect word usage.

2. Symbols with Different Meanings: A word may have more than one meaning at times, or two or more words may have the same pronunciation (such as idle and idol). The correct interpretation of the word remains ambiguous in such cases.

3. Faulty Translations: In some cases, the proficiency of a language varies between workers and managers. In such cases, a translation of the information into a language that the workers can understand is required. However, some words or sentences may be misinterpreted during the translation process. For example, the meaning of certain words may change in a translation of an instruction from English to Hindi.

4. Technical Jargon: When giving instructions, the senior or specialist may use technical terminology that the subordinates may find difficult to understand( such as the meaning of drawings for a commerce student and some either person is different).

5. Body Language and Gesture Decoding: Every movement of the body conveys some meaning. The communicator's body movement and gestures are extremely important in conveying the message. Communications may be misinterpreted if there is a mismatch between what is said and what is expressed through body movements. As in your face expression reveals anger, while your hand movements reveal otherwise.

6. Unclarified Assumptions: Certain assumptions in some communications may be open to different interpretations.
   
   

Ans: Motivating someone entails inducing and stimulating them to act in a certain way. The following points describe the motivational process.

1. Unsatisfied Need: The motivation process begins with an individual's unsatisfied need.

2. Tension: As the desire goes unsatisfied, frustration builds up in the individual's mind.

3. Motives/Drives: Frustration motivates the individual to seek out alternatives to meet his needs.

4. Search Behaviour: He selects one of several options and begins acting in accordance with it.

5. Satisfied Needs: After a period of time, he evaluates whether or not his need has been met.

6. Reduced Tension: Once the need is met, the individual's frustration and tension are relieved.

Example: Assume a person wishes to advance in his or her career. This makes him uneasy, and he begins to look for other ways to advance in his career. He may consider working harder and bettering his performance. After consistently working hard, he may receive recognition and a promotion, which will finally satisfy his desire and alleviate his frustration.

The process of motivation explains by the following diagram:

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Ans: Grapevine communication, also known as informal communication, is a communication that develops as a result of social interaction among employees and spreads without following the formal communication path. The types of grapevine communication networks are as follows.

1. Single Strand Network: In this network, information spreads from one person to the next person in a certain sequence. That is, one person communicates with another, who then communicates with yet another. Hence , information is passed through a line of persons.

2. Gossip Network: In a gossip network, one person spreads information to a large number of people. Such as gossip about the new employee who recently joined the organization etc.

3. Probability Network: In a probability network, an individual shares information with other people at random. That is, the individual is unconcerned about who he shares the information with.

4. Cluster Network: Information in this network is first shared between two people who trust each other. One of them then passes the information on to another, who then passes it on to another, and so the information spreads.
   
   

Ans: Management's function of directing is quite complex. Certain principles have been developed to aid in the directing process. The principles of directing are as follows.

1. Maximum Individual Contribution: A manager should use directing techniques that encourage employees to perform to the best of their abilities, according to this principle. It should motivate employees to work toward the organization's goals. That is, each individual should make the greatest possible contribution to the organization's goals. Managers, for example, can use appropriate incentive and motivation techniques to encourage employees to perform better.

2. Appropriateness of Direction Technique: This principle states that the direction technique to be used should be appropriate. It should be appropriate for the employees' needs and attitudes. For example, one employee may be motivated by praise, whereas another requires monetary compensation. As a result, the manager should employ appropriate directing techniques based on the situation.

3. Managerial Communication: Effective communication is essential for effective directing. The superior's instructions and commands must be clear and easily understood by the subordinates. Furthermore, subordinates must be able to communicate with superiors without hesitation. They must be able to freely express their opinions and suggestions. As a result, effective two-way communication between the superior and the subordinates is required.
   
   

Ans: The manager is an autocratic leader.

An autocratic leader gives orders and expects others to obey them. The decision-making power is centralized. Due to the inflexibility of the leader, employees feel demotivated and discouraged due to the leader's unwillingness to take their suggestions, and the productivity is also impacted due to demotivated employees.

To solve this issue, the manager needs to be a little flexible, and foster positive communication with its employees, as well as welcome suggestions from them.

Ans: GyanPradhan has provided its employees with perquisites and fringe benefits such as free education for children and medical aid. This comes under Financial incentives.

Other financial incentives include:

• Bonus: An additional reward given in addition to the salary, such as gifts, a festival bonus, and so on.

• Retirement Benefits: Providing employees with retirement benefits such as pensions, gratuities, provident funds, and so on.

• Stock Option: Providing employees with shares of the company at a lower price than the market price.

• Profit-Sharing: It is the practice of sharing a portion of a company's profits with its employees (any two)